Spurs' DeMar DeRozan Fined $25K for Throwing Ball at Referee During Nuggets Loss

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistApril 21, 2019

San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan (10) in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball playoff series Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The NBA fined San Antonio Spurs star DeMar DeRozan $25,000 after he threw the game ball at a referee during San Antonio's 117-103 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

DeRozan was whistled for a charge with 5:01 left in the fourth quarter. He responded by throwing the ball in the direction of referee Scott Foster and was immediately ejected.

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"Frustration," DeRozan said after the game when asked what led him to throw the ball, per ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I thought it was a bad call. Combination of both."

DeRozan's fine equals the one issued to Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks. According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, Marks received a one-game suspension as well after he entered the referees' locker room following the Nets' 112-108 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

By avoiding a suspension, DeRozan will be available in Game 5 on Tuesday, when the Spurs will look to take a 3-2 series lead in Denver. Through the first four games, the four-time All-Star is averaging 23.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists.