The middle finger is expensive! Denver point guard Russell Westbrook was fined $35,000 (33,000 euros) for an “obscene gesture” Monday during the NBA game lost by the Nuggets against the New York Knicks (145-118), announced the NBA on Friday.
In footage from the game, Westbrook appears to extend his middle finger toward the Knicks bench after scoring a three-point basket in the final quarter. A few moments earlier the 36-year-old had been blocked by Knicks winger Josh Hart and the New York bench had requested that he be penalized with a walk.
The executive vice-president of the North American basketball league, Joe Dumars, who announced the fine, did not give further details on the “obscene gesture” sanctioned.
Despite Westbrook’s 27 points, including 24 in the last quarter, the Nuggets lost. The veteran point guard is averaging 12.2 points per game this season. On November 19, the 2017 MVP became the first player in NBA history to reach 200 triple-doubles.
