Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has been fined US$25,000 by the NBA for tossing a towel to try and distract Cavaliers forward J.J. Hickson as he shot a free throw.
Ainge flipped a white towel over his head during the third quarter of Monday night’s playoff game between Boston and Cleveland. Ainge was attempting to rattle Hickson, who made his second free throw despite the GM’s actions.
Stu Jackson, the league’s executive vice-president of basketball operations, fined Ainge for “an unauthorized distraction and for conduct detrimental to the game.”
The Celtics were leading 80-57 at the time of Ainge’s towel toss. Boston went on to win 104-86 to even the Eastern Conference semifinal at 1-1.
On Wednesday, Ainge said he regretted his behaviour, calling it “unprofessional.”
