NBA fines Heat’s Richardson for tossing shoe into stands

Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat shoots despite defense from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 and Joe Harris #12 of the Brooklyn Nets during second quarter of the game at Barclays Center on November 14, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday for throwing one of his shoes into the stands during a game.

The incident took place with 6:31 remaining in the fourth quarter of Miami’s 113-97 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Richardson was assessed a technical foul and ejected from the game for the violation. It was the first ejection in four NBA seasons for the 25-year-old American.

On the play, Richardson drove for a dunk and felt he was fouled. His left shoe loosened as he hit the floor under the basket.

After being whistled for a fifth foul after play resumed, a frustrated Richardson removed the shoe and hurled it against the scorer’s table. When he was called to the bench, he tossed the shoe into the stands.

Richardson leads the Heat with 20.4 points and 1.06 steals a game and has also contributed 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game in 16 games this season, all as a starter.

The Heat are 6-10 after two losses in a row.

© Agence France-Presse