Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was hit with a $15,000 fine on Friday over an obscene gesture that he made earlier this week. He also received a warning for using foul language while talking to reporters.
“James has been fined $15,000 for making an obscene gesture on the playing court and warned for using profane language during media availability in response to league imposed discipline,” the NBA said in a statement. “The incident occurred with 1:17 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 124-116 overtime win against the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 24 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.”
The video featured below shows the incident at the 1:17 mark in the fourth quarter that the league deemed to be an “obscene gesture.”
WATCH:
This @KingJames celebration 😂 pic.twitter.com/lCC1cmEcPh
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 25, 2021
The league’s warning about James’ use of foul language appears to come from the remarks that he made to ESPN while he was responding to the news that he had been suspended for a game for striking a player in the face.
“I mean, it’s some bulls***,” James told ESPN. “But whatever.”
James was ejected after “striking Detroit big man Isaiah Stewart in the face while jostling for rebounding position,” ESPN reported. “The hit led to a stoppage in action while Stewart, with blood streaming down his face, had to be held back multiple times by Detroit personnel as he tried to confront James.”
“The incident occurred with 9:18 remaining in the third quarter and the Lakers trailing 79-67,” the report added. “Stewart was initially whistled for a loose ball foul on the play. Following an official review, James was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and ejected, Stewart was assessed two technical fouls and ejected.”
WATCH:
Weak minded hate crime hoaxer and ANTIFA pedophile admirer @KingJames throws sucker punch. What a complete lowlife and overall punk – and yes I’d say it “man to man” to you.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) November 22, 2021
James made the obscene gesture in his first game back from serving the suspension. In that same game, James had two fans thrown out of the game.
When asked during a post-game press conference what the fans did that made him “uncomfortable,” James responded, “I mean nothing is uncomfortable for me, but there’s a difference between cheering on your home faithful, booing opponents and things of that nature or not wanting your opponents to be successful, and there’s then moments where it goes outside the line with obscene gestures and words that shouldn’t be tolerated in our game from nobody.”
“I would never say it to a fan and a fan should never say it to a player,” James added.
James did not make any claims about what the two fans said or did, and there were only unsubstantiated rumors online speculating about what happened.
James, who complained about the use of “obscene” words from fans, can be seen on video grabbing a referee, walking up the individuals in question, and pointing at them while yelling: “It’s right f***ing here!”
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