Victor Wembanyama Fined $25,000 By NBA After Knicks-Spurs Game

Victor Wembanyama was fined after Friday's game.

Mar 27, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday evening, the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks played a thriller in Texas.

Jalen Brunson led the way with 61 points, but the Spurs were able to win by a score of 130-126 (in overtime).

After the game (on Sunday), the NBA announced that star rookie Victor Wembanyama had been fined $25,000.

Via NBA Communications: "San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama has been fined $25,000 for throwing the game ball into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations."

The following was released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/PHs1LYfEpd

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 31, 2024

Wembanyama finished Friday's victory with 40 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block while shooting 13/22 from the field and 4/9 from the three-point range in 38 minutes of playing time.

I totally understand if we're fining guys for lining up a fan and beaning them with the ball. That would be a bad thing.

But throwing the ball into the stands in excitement after a win? Nah. That's just expressing emotion. Let them play! https://t.co/UeagjijuS3

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 31, 2024

He will have excellent chance to win the 2024 Rookie of The Year Award, and is averaging 21.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.4 blocks per contest while shooting 46.8% from the field and 32.4% from the three-point range in 65 games.

Victor Wembanyama is the first rookie since Shaquille O'Neal (46 PTS, 21 REB on 02/16/93) to record a 40-PT, 20-REB game. pic.twitter.com/yMIzGwePcR

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 30, 2024

Despite the strong play of Wembanyama, the Spurs are the 15th seed in the Western Conference with an 18-56 record in 74 games.

They have gone 4-6 over their last ten games and are also in the middle of a three-game winning streak.

On Sunday evening, the Spurs will host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in Texas.

Mar 29, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forwards Victor Wembanyama (1) and Keldon / Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

As for the Knicks, they dropped to 44-29 in 73 games, which has them as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.