LeBron James Fined $15K by NBA for Making ‘Obscene Gesture’ During Game
NBA superstar LeBron James was fined $15,000 after making an “obscene gesture” during a game against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
In a statement posted to Twitter by the league, James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, was fined a hefty sum for making the gesture while on the court and “warned for using profane language during media availability in response to league-imposed discipline.”
“The incident occurred with 1:17 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 124-116 overtime win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse,” the statement concluded.
The gesture has caused players in the past to get hefty fines after former NBA star Sam Cassell made it popular, according to reports.
James’s fine was on the low end as past players have received $15,000 to $25,000 for the gesture.
The warning about profane language mentioned in the statement came after James was suspended for one game for fighting on the court. He called the suspension “some bullshit.”
The suspension was given after he hit Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the face and started an “on-court altercation.”
Stewart received a two-game suspension for “escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing” James.