NBA fines Nets C Nic Claxton $25K for throwing ball into stands

Field Level Media|published: Sat 21st December, 13:32 2024

Dec 19, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) loses control of the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo (2) in the first quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Brooklyn center Nic Claxton was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Saturday for throwing a basketball into the stands during the Nets' 101-94 victory over the host Toronto Raptors on Thursday.

Claxton received a technical foul and was ejected from the game for the incident with 8:46 left in the second quarter. Claxton recorded a defensive rebound and was dribbling on a fast break when he was fouled by Raptors center Kelly Olynyk.

That's when Claxton threw the ball underhanded into a section of spectators.

"I just had a mental lapse and I just launched the ball in the crowd," Claxton told the New York Post after the game. "I can't let my emotions get to that point. I got to be there for my team."

He had seven points, five rebounds and one block in 11 minutes before his third ejection this season.

Claxton, 25, is averaging 9.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks in 21 games (13 starts) this season.

Brooklyn selected Claxton in the second round (31st overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft out of Georgia. He is averaging 10.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.8 blocks in 262 career games (180 starts).

--Field Level Media