The NBA has fined Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder and Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker $25,000 each for their involvement in a confrontation during Game 5 on Saturday.
Neither player will face suspension, though.
P.J. Tucker and Dennis Schroder each fined $25,000, NBA announces. https://t.co/83UVNFDWTX
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) August 30, 2020
Dennis Schroder and PJ Tucker were involved in a bit of a dust-up when the latter attempted to set an on-ball screen in the third quarter. Schroder collided with Tucker, resulting in an illegal screen call on the floor.
But Tucker clearly felt there was something more to the play, as he fell to his knees almost as soon as Schroder ran into him. The Rockets forward then got in Schroder’s face and followed it with a head-butt shortly thereafter.
Schroder looked incredulous at the time, but the NBA referees sided with Tucker after a replay review. Schroder was assessed a flagrant 2 and ejected from the game, though Tucker was also tossed because of the retaliatory act.
The German-born Schroder continued to deny the low blow was intentional on Sunday, stating he would never seek to cause harm to an opponent.
Tucker was having none of it and also suggested the Thunder had made a number of dirty plays throughout the NBA playoffs series.
In any case, both players will be available for a crucial Game 6 on Monday.
Schroder has been particularly important for the Thunder throughout the first round, scoring 59 combined points as OKC won Game 3 and Game 4 to shock the NBA and tie the series. He also poured in 19 points prior to getting ejected in Game 5.
Tucker’s impact has been less pronounced, but he has been an important floor-spacer and defender. He should continue to loom large as the Rockets hope to close out the series.
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