Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers could face disciplinary action from the NBA after an incident on Wednesday night at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.
In the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ season opener against the Sacramento Kings, Rivers flung a seat cushion into the stands that hit a fan, who appeared to experience discomfort around her eyes for an extended period.
Fans in the second-row area near where the woman was struck expressed concern and created a stir.
The USA Today report indicated that no decision had been made by the league as of Thursday afternoon regarding the 23-year-old Rivers. The son of Clipper coach Doc Rivers had three points, two rebounds, two steals and one assist in the Clippers’ 111-104 road win.
The Clippers were scheduled to play host to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
Pelicans cut G Robinson loose
The New Orleans Pelicans waived guard Nate Robinson on Thursday after the team opened the season with back-to-back losses.
The Pelicans could be interested in signing Tony Douglas, ESPN.com reported. Douglas is available after being waived by the Indiana Pacers.
The 31-year-old Robinson did not score a point in the Pelicans’ first two games and took only one shot from the field but had four assists, one steal and five fouls in 23 combined minutes.
Despite a rash of injuries, the Pelicans considered Robinson expendable. Jrue Holiday is playing restricted minutes and Tyreke Evans (knee) and Norris Cole (ankle) are hobbled.
Had Robinson remained with the Pelicans, his minutes likely would have been limited.
Timberwolves emotional after win over Lakers
Their hearts were heavy and the death of Flip Saunders still weighed substantially on their minds. The Minnesota Timberwolves, though, willed themselves past the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
Point guard Ricky Rubio scored a career-high 28 points and handed out 14 assists as the Timberwolves held on for an emotional 112-111 victory over the Lakers on at Staples Center.
The win came two days after Saunders, Minnesota’s president and head coach, passed from complications of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“Everybody went through a lot pain but we came in here and (fought), competed and tried to win a game,” said Rubio, who made 10 of 17 shots from the floor. “I think the second unit did pretty good in the third quarter coming back. The defense, too. That started everything. Our defense was the key today.”
Reserve guard Kevin Martin added 23 points for Minnesota (1-0), which rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to capture the decision.
“It’s been a tough three days for our whole team,” said Martin, who scored 17 of his points in the second half. “I think we showed what our character is tonight. That was like one of the sweetest wins I’ve ever been a part of.”
Rookie center and top draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns debuted with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves.