Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on Friday was slapped with a fine for an “obscene gesture” and warned by the NBA’s disciplinary officials for swearing during a news conference.
“LeBron James has been fined [US]$15,000 for making an obscene gesture on the playing court and warned for using profane language during media availability,” league spokesman Byron Spruell said in a news release.
This is the second time this week that the league has disciplined James for an on-court incident.
Photo: AFP
James was hit with a one-game suspension for a bloody altercation with the Detroit Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart in a game on Sunday last week.
In their game on Wednesday against the Indianapolis Pacers, James scored 39 points in a 124-116 overtime win.
Late in the fourth quarter, James drew the ire of league officials for making an obscene gesture after sinking a three-point basket that extended the Lakers’ lead to six points.
Photo: AFP
James slammed the one-game suspension after the Pacers game, describing the punishment to reporters using an expletive.
James also had a pair of fans ejected from the Pacers game in overtime, after they apparently heckled him from their courtside seats.
On Friday, the Lakers lost 137-141 in triple overtime against the Sacramento Kings, with James scoring 30 points.
Additional reporting by AP
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