LeBron James was fined $15,000 by the NBA for provocative celebrations during Wednesday’s win over the Indiana Pacers.
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James broke the celebration after hitting three-pointers late in the fourth round. He scored a season-high 39 points in Indianapolis, including eight of LA’s 12 in extra time, to help the Lakers erase a 12-point deficit in the second half and end their five-game long run with achievement 2-3 .
The NBA fined LeBron James $15,000 for his act of celebrating Sam Cassell with a three-pointer in the Lakers’ win over Indiana.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 27, 2021
James missed the Lakers’ previous game due to a one-game suspension for “reckless” Isaiah Stewart of the Pistons. He also missed several matches due to an abdominal injury.
Penalty for James follows Raptors guard Fred VanVleet fined $15,000 for doing a similar version of the dance against the 76ers on November 12. The dance has been dubbed the ‘Sam Cassell dance’ throughout the years.
Many players have adopted the dance throughout the years to celebrate a big shot, but it wasn’t until 2010-11 that the NBA began to fine players between $15,000-25,000. In one interview with The Athletic, Cassell said he is not a fan of the fines awarded to players for the dance.
“That was stupid,” Cassell said. “Come on. So stupid. It’s stupid to take someone’s money for that. Like, now.
“It’s not like you’re giving someone a finger. Fine. You know what I’m saying? Come on. ”
