Boston Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ainge has been fined $25,000 for creating an unauthorized distraction and for conduct detrimental to the game, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred with 1:53 remaining in the third quarter of the Celtics’ 104-86 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal on Monday, May 3, at Quicken Loans Arena.
The fine is due to Ainge throwing a towel around to distract J.J. Hickson of the Cleveland Cavaliers during free throw attempts.
Paul Flannery of WEEI reports:
The NBA fined Danny Ainge $25,000 for “creating an unauthorized distraction” during Game 2 on the Celtics-Cavs series. In other words, he threw a towel up in the air while J.J. Hickson was shooting free throws.
The Celtics have been amused by this episode and Doc Rivers got in a few more one-liners at his boss’ expense Thursday.
“I was surprised, actually, at the fine,” Rivers said. “I know a lot of people were not. I was because he’s just an employee. What’s the difference between that and the mascots do it all the time. I was just wondering if Danny had worn Lucky’s outfit he would have gotten away with it.”
