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NBA fines Raptors rookie Champagnie for "on-court altercation"

Adam Laskaris
Adam Laskaris
|
Jan 27 2022, 5:16 pm
NBA fines Raptors rookie Champagnie for "on-court altercation"
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors rookie Justin Champagnie has picked up the first fine of his NBA career.

After getting physical with Charlotte forward P.J. Washington in Tuesday night’s win over the Hornets, the first-year Raptors forward was ejected (along with Washington).

Both players have each been fined $15,000 for “their roles in an on-court altercation,” the NBA announced on Thursday.

Byron Spruell, the NBA’s president of league operations, detailed the reasoning behind the fine.

“On the play prior to the altercation, Washington hip-checked Champagnie causing him to fall to the court,” the statement said. “On the next possession, Champagnie retaliated by shoving Washington in the back, which initiated the altercation. Washington escalated the altercation by forcefully shoving Champagnie.”

Raptors fans weren’t too happy about the fine, though. It might be a return to elementary school “he started it” finger-pointing, but Washington did start things. Had the initial hip-check not occurred, it’s doubtful the Raptors’ rookie would’ve had any reason to reply.

Additionally, Champangnie’s two-way contract of $462k means the fine is much more to him than Washington, who is making $4.2 million this year.

Some fans propose that either Raptors management or Champagnie’s teammates “pick up the tab” for the fine. Raptors president Masai Ujiri was spotted giving him a fist bump as he walked off the court Tuesday.

The Raptors are off today and tomorrow before returning to action against the Miami Heat on Saturday at 8 pm.

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