Warriors' Andre Iguodala Fined for Inappropriate Language, Throwing Ball into Stands

Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala was fined $25,000 for "directing inappropriate language" toward game officials and "throwing the ball into the game stands" during the fourth quarter of Tuesday's 125-113 loss against the Phoenix Suns, per a press release from the NBA.

Iguodala and Phoenix's Jock Landale had gotten tangled up during a jostle for a potential rebound during the moment in question, with Landale giving Iguodala a nudge out of bounds. The ball landed in Iguodala's hands in the process and he appeared to lightly flip it in the direction of a fan, earning him an ejection.

An irate Iguodala appeared to berate officials as he left the court.

It was only Iguodala's second game back after making his season debut on Jan. 7 against the Orlando Magic. He hadn't played to this point in the season as the Warriors took a cautious approach to his return from a left hip injury.

"The hardest thing when you get older is to stack up games," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters last week. "As we saw with Andre last season, all of a sudden something swells up and you don't even know why. I am not worried about his production or play. It's more about preserving him for the long haul. I know he's going to help us win."

Andrew Wiggins also made his return in that contest after missing 15 games with both a strained right upper leg muscle and a non-COVID illness, while both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were back in action against the Suns after nursing injuries of their own.

The Warriors managed to go 6-5 during Curry's extended absence, though they are currently losers of three straight and just 20-21 overall. A return to full health should help.

Iguodala, 38, has become a deeper reserve and more of a leadership figurehead for the Warriors in his later years. He appeared in just 31 games last season, averaging 4.0 points, 3.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in just 19.5 minutes per contest.

He also made just seven postseason appearances as the Warriors made a run to their fourth title in the past eight years.

"He's such a freak athlete, he's still in amazing condition, but his brain is his most powerful weapon," Kerr said of Iguodala.