Dwight Howard has been fined $35,000 for the flagrant-two foul he committed by shoving Kenneth Faried in the face on Wednesday, the league announced in an official release.
The league cited Howard’s “excessive contact with Faried above the shoulders” as the reason for the fine, and watching the multiple replays, it’s hard to disagree.
The Lakers went on to lose in Howard’s absence, but they were well on their way before he was ejected with 5:02 remaining in the third quarter for his actions.
Occasionally the league overreacts with its discipline for plays like these, but in this case, everything would seem to have been handled perfectly.
The officials on the scene made the quick and decisive call ejecting Howard at the time, and a fine was warranted, but a suspension was not -- and Howard will not be suspended for this incident.
This is obviously good news for a Lakers team that sits at just 14-15 on the season, and needs to start stringing together large chunks of victories just to land itself back in the playoff picture.
L.A. next plays Friday night, when they will host the Portland Trail Blazers.