Suns' Jalen Green fined hefty amount for profane comments following win
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green might be currently sidelined with a nagging hamstring injury, but his vocal support for his new teammates is still impacting his wallet. The NBA announced on Tuesday that Green has been fined $25,000 for using profane language during a live television broadcast following the team's recent victory in Washington.
The incident occurred moments after the Suns secured a 115-101 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night. As breakout guard Collin Gillespie was conducting an on-court interview to discuss his career-high 25-point performance, Green crashed the segment to hype up his backcourt partner. In a moment of unfiltered enthusiasm, Green leaned into the microphone and shouted, "They can't f*** with you," prompting a stunned reaction from Gillespie and an immediate apology from the broadcast team.
While the sentiment highlighted the burgeoning chemistry within the Suns' locker room, the league office maintained its strict zero-tolerance policy regarding audible profanity on live airwaves. Joe Dumars, the NBA's Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, issued the official penalty, citing the interruption and the specific language used during the live feed.
Green’s tenure in the Valley has been heavily scrutinized since the blockbuster summer trade that sent franchise icon Kevin Durant back to the Houston Rockets. The 23-year-old guard was acquired to be the explosive future of the franchise but has been limited to just two games this season due to a persistent right hamstring strain. Despite his inability to suit up, Green’s presence on the bench and his decision to travel with the team to D.C. signals his commitment to integrating with the new roster, even if his methods proved costly this week.
For the Suns, the fine is a minor distraction during an otherwise positive stretch. The victory over Washington marked their fourth consecutive win, with reserves like Gillespie stepping up admirably in the absence of the team's primary scorers. As Green continues his rehabilitation process, the Suns organization is eager to see his electric scoring translate to the hardwood. Until he is medically cleared to return, however, the high-flying guard will likely need to keep his postgame celebrations a bit more PG-rated to avoid further discipline from the league office.
The incident occurred moments after the Suns secured a 115-101 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night. As breakout guard Collin Gillespie was conducting an on-court interview to discuss his career-high 25-point performance, Green crashed the segment to hype up his backcourt partner. In a moment of unfiltered enthusiasm, Green leaned into the microphone and shouted, "They can't f*** with you," prompting a stunned reaction from Gillespie and an immediate apology from the broadcast team.
While the sentiment highlighted the burgeoning chemistry within the Suns' locker room, the league office maintained its strict zero-tolerance policy regarding audible profanity on live airwaves. Joe Dumars, the NBA's Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, issued the official penalty, citing the interruption and the specific language used during the live feed.
Green’s tenure in the Valley has been heavily scrutinized since the blockbuster summer trade that sent franchise icon Kevin Durant back to the Houston Rockets. The 23-year-old guard was acquired to be the explosive future of the franchise but has been limited to just two games this season due to a persistent right hamstring strain. Despite his inability to suit up, Green’s presence on the bench and his decision to travel with the team to D.C. signals his commitment to integrating with the new roster, even if his methods proved costly this week.
For the Suns, the fine is a minor distraction during an otherwise positive stretch. The victory over Washington marked their fourth consecutive win, with reserves like Gillespie stepping up admirably in the absence of the team's primary scorers. As Green continues his rehabilitation process, the Suns organization is eager to see his electric scoring translate to the hardwood. Until he is medically cleared to return, however, the high-flying guard will likely need to keep his postgame celebrations a bit more PG-rated to avoid further discipline from the league office.
