Russell Westbrook fined $15,000 for language post-game
Russell Westbrook said a naughty word after Game 2 against the Rockets, and the NBA has taken some money as a result.
Russell Westbrook went just 4-for-18 from the floor during the fourth quarter of Wednesday night’s Game 2 against the Houston Rockets, but the still set a record with 51 points in a playoff triple-double (13 assists, 10 rebounds) in a 115-111 loss.
Westbrook was asked about his historic stat line during is post game press conference, and notably said he didn’t care (with a not-so-clean word to express it) since the Thunder lost the game. While that sentiment is certainly understandable, and almost anyone would express it in as many words, the NBA obviously frowns on the use of bad language during media availability.
So it’s no surprise Westbrook has been fined $15,000 for his post-game language in front of the media. Whether that’s enough of a financial hit to curb any future use of inappropriate language is another argument entirely. But in the eyes of the league office, Westbrook being hit with a fine for bad language is probably more about the headline created than the actual dollar figure as a deterrent.
If you missed it, here’s the clip of Westbrook’s comments. Be warned again, it’s NSFW for the word he used, and just try to ignore his outfit.
Thunder's Russell Westbrook on posting NBA's first postseason 50-point triple-double: "I don't give a f--- about the line. We lost." pic.twitter.com/hRZG4zUkSy
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 20, 2017
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Game 3 is in Oklahoma City on Friday night, and it’s a virtual must-win for the Thunder on their home floor. Westbrook has to be far more efficient than he was in Game 2, for sure, but he also has to maintain his aggressiveness for the Thunder to have any chance to turn things around in the series.