Nets’ Nic Claxton fined $25,000 for throwing ball into stands

Nets center Nic Claxton has been fined $25,000 for throwing the game ball into the stands on Dec. 19 against the Toronto Raptors, the NBA announced.

Claxton was assessed a technical foul and ejected for the incident that occurred during the second quarter of Brooklyn’s eventual win over Toronto.

The decision to throw the ball into the crowd came after he was fouled by Kelly Olynyk on a fast break, preventing an easy basket. He had to be held back by coaches before being walked to the locker room.

It was the 25-year-old’s third ejection and fourth technical foul of the season.

Claxton, who is in the first year of a four-year, $97 million extension, has seen a dip in production this season after showing promising growth the past two years. He’s averaging just 9.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game over 21 contests (13 starts).

Last year, Claxton started all 71 games he played, averaging 11.8 points, a career-high 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.