NEW YORK — Knicks forward Julius Randle was fined $50,000 by the NBA on Sunday for pushing Suns forward Cam Johnson into contact with an official who was trying to break up an altercation. Also for refusing to participate in the subsequent investigation.
Both Randle and Johnson received technical fouls after shoving and exchanging words in the incident that occurred in the third quarter of Phoenix’s 115-114 victory over the Knicks on Friday night. A referee broke them up, but it was when Randle lunged at him to push Johnson again that he was ejected.
Johnson responded with a brilliant fourth-quarter performance, hitting the 3-pointer as time ran out and finishing with a career-high 38 points. His ninth 3-pointer in 12 attempts came from 31 feet from the rim, capping a 21-point stretch that included six 3-pointers.
The Knicks appeared headed for an impressive road win before Randle lost his temper in the third quarter that led to his ejection. Instead, New York blew a 14-point lead without Randle and lost for the seventh straight time.
