The NBA has levied a $35,000 fine against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga for the sequence that led to his first-half ejection during Tuesday night’s preseason victory in Portland, the league announced Thursday.
With seven seconds left in the second quarter, Kuminga drove coast-to-coast through two defenders, missed a layup and immediately confronted official Rodney Mott, clapping in the referee’s face. Mott ejected the 22-year-old forward on the spot.
In its statement, the league said Kuminga was disciplined for “making inappropriate contact with and continuing to pursue a game official.”
Head coach Steve Kerr expressed no objection to the player’s intensity. “He got fouled,” Kerr told reporters after the game. “It was a frustration play. I have no problem with it.”
Kuminga had collected 7 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists before leaving the game. He re-signed with Golden State earlier this month on a two-year, $46.8 million deal after an offseason of tense negotiations, joining training camp a few days late.
The forward later explained that his anger stemmed from having his right ankle clipped by Portland’s Deni Avdija on the drive—a flashback to a severe ankle sprain he suffered last season. “I wasn’t surprised he got ejected because he kind of got right in [Mott’s] face,” Kerr added. “You can’t do that.”
The Warriors went on to secure the preseason win despite Kuminga’s absence.
Source: ESPN
