JR Smith, Kelly Olynyk and Kendrick Perkins felt the gentle wrath of the NBA league office for their actions during Sunday’s Celtics-Cavs playoff game.
Cavs’ JR Smith suspended & Kendrick Perkins fined, and Celtics’ Kelly Olynyk suspended as well. pic.twitter.com/INbx6qFljY
— Matt Pepin (@mattpep15) April 27, 2015
JR Smith was ejected from the game for hitting Jae Crowder in the face and he’ll now face a two game suspension for his actions.
As for the Celtics, Kelly Olynyk will receive a one-game suspension (to be served next season) for his role in Kevin Love’s separated shoulder.
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Kendrick Perkins was also fined $15,000 for the Flagrant 1 that he received in the second quarter of the game. The NBA upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 following a post-game review.
Game 4 continues to be physical between Cavs & Celtics. Kendrick Perkins and Jae Crowder tangle after hard screen. http://t.co/VHTcf9fy3N
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 26, 2015
The fact that these three incidents were viewed as punishable by the NBA isn’t surprising but the lack of severity for each one raises an eyebrow. Smith essentially elbowed Crowder in the head. Perkins shoved Crowder in the neck. Olynyk dislocated Love’s shoulder (and the NBA seems to think what Olynyk did was excessive given that they are giving him a suspension in the first place). The light tap on the wrist for all three was met with skepticism on Twitter.
#NBA discipline is a complete joke. Kelly Olynyk suspended 1 regular season game, JR Smith suspended for 2 playoff games.
— Brian Dulik (@BrianDulik) April 27, 2015
@ESPNSteinLine seems awfully light, no?
— Matt Colby (@mrcolby11) April 27, 2015
Dear @NBA, if you suspend J.R. Smith for 2 games, then you MUST suspend Kelly Olynyk for 2 games too. An armbar in NBA is illegal, right?
— Kevin Andrew Gillman (@KevinGillman) April 27, 2015