The Chicago Bulls added another loss this past week after they were unable to defeat the Brooklyn Nets, with the game featuring a random inappropriate gesture by Collin Sexton.
During the third quarter of the 123-115 loss, Sexton went to the free-throw line. Upon sinking his second shot, he backed away to play defense but also put up a middle finger towards the basket, seeming frustrated.
That gesture may have appeared differently to some, as there are also fans seated behind the baskets. The NBA didn’t approve of Sexton’s on-court decision to flip off the basket, rim, or crowd, and announced his fine on Monday.
On Tuesday evening, the NBA released a statement regarding Sexton’s recent gesture, indicating that he had been fined $35,000.
According to the NBA, the fine was doled out due to him “making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court.” A video shows Sexton making the gesture while playing against the Nets in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center Monday night.
At the time, the Bulls were trailing the Nets 89-84 with 1:31 left in the third quarter. Sexton had 16 points before his free throw and gesture.
The Chicago Bulls guard finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and an assist. He also shot 6-for-8 from the free-throw line. Sexton’s teammate, Anfernee Simons, led the Bulls with 23 points and seven assists.
The recent loss dropped the Bulls to 24-30 in the Eastern Conference and came after Chicago shook up its roster before the trade deadline.
A week ago, they acquired Sexton, along with Ousmane Dieng and three second-round picks, in a deal with the Charlotte Hornets, who received guards Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. in the swap.
Sexton, who has also played a season for the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers, is averaging 14.4 points, two rebounds, and 3.7 assists in his latest NBA season.
Other trades included Chicago sending forward Dalen Terry to the New York Knicks for forward Guerschon Yabusele and trading guard Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In exchange, Minnesota sent guard Rob Dillingham, forward Leonard Miller, and multiple future picks in the NBA Draft to the Bulls.
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