On Sunday, the NBA fined San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama $25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands during his team’s 130-126 overtime victory over the New York Knicks.
Wembanyama had his greatest performance of the season, finishing with 40 points, 20 rebounds, and seven assists. He celebrated by briefly caressing the ball before tossing it to the home crowd.
Some were dissatisfied with Wembanyama’s handling of the game ball after Knicks standout Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 61 points. A keepsake that the experienced point guard might have wished to save ended up in the possession of one admirer.
Fine literally pocket change for Victor Wembanyama
It reminded me of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo racing down the tunnel, believing the Indiana Pacers were snatching the game ball after his 64-point outburst.
While Wembanyama’s acts were not malicious, the rules are very straightforward. Deliberately throwing or kicking the ball into the stands is grounds for ejection if it occurs during a game, with previous precedent indicating a lesser fine. When asked if he would compensate for the lost basketball, the 7-footer said, “Somebody else is going to.”
The 20-year-old will have a considerably more difficult time transferring his $25,000 fine to another party. Writing the cash to the league office is a drop in the bucket compared to his $12.1 million salary this year.
However, Wembanyama will be urged to limit his celebrations to the court in the future.