NBA: Thunder’s Schroder, Rockets’ Tucker fined $ 25K each

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Dennis Schroder was fined $ 25,000 by the NBA Sunday after a punch to the groin by Houston forward PJ Tucker, who was also fined $ 25,000 for climbing.

The incidents occurred with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter of Houston’s 114-80 playoff victory over the Thunder on Saturday in the COVID-19 quarantine bubble at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Schroder ran into Tucker and they both fell onto the court. Tucker came up behind the German and ran into him, causing a confrontation in which his teammates separated the players.

Tucker’s fine was for reaching out and contacting Schroder to escalate the issue.

An NBA review determined that Tucker’s contact with Schroder did not meet the standard for a header.

In the incident, Schroder assessed a flagrant foul 2 and was sent off. Tucker was charged with a technical foul and was also sent off.

The Rockets lead their best-of-seven first-round series in the Western Conference 3-2 as they enter Game 6 on Monday.