Trendon Watford, Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard have each been fined for their roles in Thursday’s altercation between the Nets and Pacers.
The Nets’ Watford and Pacers’ Turner were both fined $35,000 for their involvement, while Indiana’s Nembhard was fined $20,000 for initiating the altercation. Watford makes roughly $33,251 per game this season, so he’s essentially been fined just over one game check.
“I think the guys did a good job; they fought for each other,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “You don’t want to see any of your teammates get ejected, but [Trendon] was out there fighting, fighting for all of us.”
With 4:48 left in regulation on Thursday, Watford, Turner and Nembhard got into a scuffle on the far baseline that resulted in both benches clearing. Turner and Nembhard were assessed technical fouls, while Watford received two technical fouls and was ejected for the first time in his NBA career.
According to a memo released by the NBA, the altercation was initiated by Watford and Nembhard and escalated when Watford delivered a right forearm to the chest region of Nembhard. Following that action, Turner escalated the altercation further by shoving Watford.
Watford, who has averaged 9.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 32 games this season, will not be suspended for Saturday’s rematch between the Nets and Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Nembhard, who was ejected later in overtime for using vulgar language towards an official twice, is also expected to be available.
WILLIAMS, RUSSELL RULED OUT
Nets forward Ziaire Williams will miss Saturday’s road rematch against Indiana because of right hamstring tightness. He finished with 22 points and a career-high six made 3s in Brooklyn’s 105-99 in overtime loss on Thursday.
“He was committed to shooting the ball,” Fernandez said of Williams. “He shot 12 3s, made six, and that’s what we want to see.”
D’Angelo Russell has also been ruled out because of right ankle soreness. It will also be the Nets’ fifth game since Cam Thomas was ruled out for the season because of a left hamstring strain.
Two-way players Reece Beekman, Tyson Etienne and Tosan Evbuomwan are currently playing with G League affiliate Long Island. Dariq Whitehead also remains on G League assignment.