Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Fined $35K by NBA for Making Inappropriate Contact with Ref

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is paying for his actions after he was ejected from a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, the league announced on Thursday that Kuminga has been fined $35,000 for "making inappropriate contact with a referee and pursuing [a] referee."

ESPN's Anthony Slater reported that Kuminga said after receiving his first career ejection that he was upset over a non-call after he got tripped from behind on the same right ankle that he badly injured last season. The instance reportedly "gave him a concerning flashback," and he was "hurting" after the game but said he was "fine."

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn't criticize Kuminga for his ejection, instead telling reporters that he "kinda liked it, actually."

Kuminga was the talk of the offseason after his lengthy contract dispute, but he eventually returned to Golden State on a two-year, $46.8 million contract. Despite the possibility of the team using him as a trade piece at some point, he expressed confidence that he would remain with the team for the foreseeable future.

"I would say so," Kuminga told reporters earlier this month when asked if he thinks the Warriors want him long term. "Based on me being back here. At the end of the day, let's see where this takes us. But my focus is this year pushing and actually helping us win. You never know what's going to happen, but I'm happy, glad to be back."

While his pockets may be a little lighter after Thursday's fine, Kuminga will play an integral role in helping the Warriors contend for a title in the competitive Western Conference this season.