NBA fines Wembanyama $25,000 for throwing ball into stands

The NBA has fined San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama $25,000 for throwing the ball into the crowd last Friday to celebrate their victory against the New York Knicks in overtime.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
31 March 2024 Sunday 10:40
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NBA fines Wembanyama $25,000 for throwing ball into stands

The NBA has fined San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama $25,000 for throwing the ball into the crowd last Friday to celebrate their victory against the New York Knicks in overtime.

Wembanyama stole the ball with tenths left in the game, hugged it and immediately after the horn high-fived a fan and threw the ball into the stands to celebrate the 130-126 victory over the Knicks.

"Victor Wembanyama has been fined $25,000 for throwing the game ball into the spectator stands," NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars said in a statement this Sunday. The French center had scored 40 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the game, the first time a rookie had achieved these numbers since Shaquille O'Neal did it in 1993. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson scored 61 points, his best score as a professional.

Wembanyama was drafted No. 1 by the Spurs last summer and is on track to win the rookie of the year award.