Nets' Atkinson fined $25K after ejection
Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said his peace Friday night to officials in the team's 114-106 home loss to the Indiana Pacers, but that will leave him $25,000 poorer after the NBA fined him for his actions on Saturday.
Atkinson was cited for verbally abusing game officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner after he was ejected after receiving a technical foul with 1:09 left in the game at Barclays Center.
Trailing by five late in the game, the Nets did not get a foul call on their offensive end of the floor, but Rodions Kurucs was called for a foul on the Pacers' Darren Collison at the other end.
Atkinson bolted onto the floor and was ejected after confronting referee Tony Brothers.
"We've just got to be mentally stronger, and I've got to be mentally stronger, fighting through those situations," Atkinson said after the game of his ejection. "Just frustration on my part. I have to coach myself. I don't love that scene out there. That's not what I'm there for. I'm not here to make a show.
"So I apologize for that. That's not who I am. But it happens in this league sometimes with the emotion and intensity of the game."
--Field Level Media
