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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for a highly unusual reason.
The league announced Wednesday that Green was penalized for “questioning the integrity of the game.”
The fine stems from a moment during the closing seconds of Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, when cameras caught Green on the sideline appearing to reference the game’s point spread.
With 15 seconds left and the Warriors trailing by 8 — just outside the 5.5-point spread — Green, who had already fouled out, seemed to remind his teammates of the betting line. Golden State then hit a three-pointer on their final possession, covering the spread in a loss.
The NBA’s interpretation is that Green may have implied the officiating was affecting the outcome relative to the spread, or that he was encouraging teammates to prioritize the betting line — both of which could raise concerns about the integrity of the sport. Regardless of intent, the league clearly wants to discourage any discussion of gambling-related outcomes on the court.
The fine adds to a tense postseason for Green, who has already faced scrutiny for his behavior and remains one technical away from suspension. He and the Warriors face elimination in Wednesday’s Game 5 against Minnesota.