Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday, a day after throwing a seat cushion into the stands at Sacramento, injuring a woman who was sitting somewhat close to the court. He apologized to a fan who was hit but the didn’t stop the league from handing down discipline.
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The NBA confirmed the cushion hit a woman in the second row at Sleep Train Arena. She experienced discomfort in her eyes, according to a report by USA Today, which earlier reported the league’s review of the incident.
“The pillow was light and it just flew into the air backwards. I didn’t really look when it went into the crowd,” Rivers said at his locker before the Clippers won their Thursday home opener 104-88 against the Dallas Mavericks. “I actually stood up for a second and I was like, ‘I apologize. I didn’t mean to do that.’
“I tried to tell the NBA that,” he added. “This has never happened before with me. I don’t have a history of throwing things. It’s unfortunate, but you just learn your lesson not to take your anger out on anything. I told the NBA that I apologize and that it will never happen again.”
Austin appeared frustrated or angry on the sidelines for whatever reason just prior to grabbing the cushion and flinging it into the crowd.
Doc Rivers said it was an accident while addressing the incident before Thursday’s game.
“It was an accident, obviously,” he said. “The unit was frustrated. He kind of just grabbed it, not to throw it in the crowd. It just happened. But it’s automatic, the fine. There’s nothing you can do about it.
