NBA fines Nick Young, D’Angelo Russell & Greg Monroe for role in Lakers-Bucks scuffle

Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell shoves Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe as players from both teams take part in a shoving match after Lakers’ Nick Young, second from right, took a hard foul during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeleson Friday, March 17, 2017. Three players were ejected. The Bucks won 107-103. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

LOS ANGELES — The NBA levied fines to Bucks center Greg Monroe as well as Lakers guards D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young for their role in a scuffle during Friday’s game at Staples Center.

The amount highlighted the severity the NBA found each player responsible for contributing to the altercation that started after Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon fouled him on a fast break in the third quarter. The NBA levied a $35,000 fine to Monroe for shoving Young what the league considered “above the shoulders”, $25,00 to Young “for initiating the altercation by shoving” Brogdon and $15,000 to Russell for “entering the altercation and pushing Monroe.”

Afterwards, Lakers coach Luke Walton strongly criticized the officials for punishing Monroe and Russell equally with a double technical and subsequent ejection despite Monroe playing a larger role in the fight. Walton also questioned a Bucks security official for grabbing the jersey of Lakers rookie forward Brandon Ingram and shoving him. The NBA decided not to fine Walton for criticizing officials publicly,

Though the NBA did not punish the security guard, the Bucks are handling the manner internally in consultation with the league. The NBA does not have a specific policy on what security guards can and cannot do. But generally speaking, the league understands those guards have the authority to protect players on the court.

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