Jonathan Kuminga’s outburst toward a referee in Portland cost him more than just the second half of a preseason basketball game.
The NBA fined the Warriors player $35,000 “for making inappropriate contact with and continuing to pursue a game official,” the league announced in a press release on Thursday morning.
Kuminga was ejected with 0.9 seconds remaining in the first half of the Warriors’ 118-111 victory over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
He had made a drive into the lane and did not receive a call after it appeared that a Blazers defender tripped him on the way to the basket. Kuminga then got into the face of the official on the baseline, and was quickly thrown out of the game.
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It was the first ejection of Kuminga’s career. After the game, coach Steve Kerr said he had no issue with how his player reacted.
“He got fouled, and it was frustration play, and I have no problem with it, because he deserved the foul and he was getting fouled quite a bit,” Kerr told reporters, later adding, “I love the way he played, I love the fire, the passion. I don’t mind the ejection at all. I kind of liked it, actually. I thought JK was terrific.”
Kuminga finished the night with seven points, six rebounds and four assists in just 17 minutes.
The Warriors will play the final game of their preseason schedule at Chase Center on Friday against the Clippers.
