This story has been updated with new information.
San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins is lighter in the wallet after flipping off a referee following his ejection.
Collins was ejected from Friday night’s 140-113 loss to the Sacramento Kings after picking up his second technical foul, but it’s what he did afterward that drew the ire of NBA disciplinarians. After being ejected, Collins didn’t immediately leave the court, instead flipping off Michael Smith, who has spent more than three decades as an NBA referee.
On Saturday, the NBA announced that Collins has been fined $35,000 for making an ‘obscene gesture.’
Collins, who played nine minutes and scored two points starting for injured star Victor Wembanyama, was tossed with 9:07 left in the second quarter when he protested a foul call, his third of the game, on Kings All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis. Collins was then checked out of the game and continued to bark his objections to the officials on his way to the bench, leading to two quick technicals and an automatic ejection.
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Following the Spurs’ loss on Friday, Mitch Johnson, who is serving as the Spurs’ interim head coach in Gregg Popovich’s absence, said he didn’t see or hear the commotion involving Collins.
‘I didn’t know what was said,’ Johnson said. ‘There was enough going on. We just moved on and tried to hold the fort together.’
Collins, a seven-year veteran, is averaging six points and 3.3 rebounds in 23 games this season.
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