The National Basketball Association issued financial penalties Friday to two players who engaged in an on-court confrontation during Thursday evening’s playoff matchup.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson received a $50,000 penalty, while Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels was hit with a $25,000 fine. According to NBA head of basketball operations James Jones, Robinson’s penalty amount was elevated due to “an inappropriate post on social media in reference to the incident postgame.”
The confrontation occurred during the second quarter of New York’s dominant 140-89 victory in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series in Atlanta. The incident began when Robinson and Daniels became entangled while competing for a rebound. According to the league’s official statement, “Both players escalated the altercation with Robinson continuing to aggressively pursue Daniels after the players had been separated.”
The situation intensified when additional players entered the fray, apparently attempting to separate the two primary participants. During the commotion, an official was knocked to the ground.
Both Robinson and Daniels received technical fouls and were removed from the contest.
With the series-clinching victory, the Knicks have advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face either the Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers. Those two teams are scheduled to play their decisive Game 7 in Boston on Saturday.
