Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder and Washington Wizards guard John Wall were both fined for their roles in an after-the-buzzer confrontation on Wednesday night at TD Garden, the NBA announced Saturday.
Crowder was fined $25,000 for his role in the confrontation and for attempting to escalate the situation after exiting the playing court. Wall was fined $15,000 for his role in the on-court confrontation.
Wall and Crowder exchanged words after Boston's 117-108 victory. Crowder jabbed a finger in Wall's nose, and Wall responded by attempting to land an open-hand slap before teammates and staffers rushed in between the two players. After more words were exchanged once the two teams returned to their locker rooms -- which were in close proximity at TD Garden -- five Boston police officers were lined up outside the area.
Crowder declined to comment on the confrontation after Wednesday's game but suggested before Friday's game in Atlanta that the confrontation stemmed from in-game trash talk.
"It started during the game, a lot of disrespectful talk from [Wall's] side that led to that," said Crowder. "I think it's been like that a few games since last year."
Asked about the confrontation on Wednesday, Wall said, "Just some altercation. We knew there was going to be some trash-talking. We knew it was going to be a physical game. That's all it was: just a little trash-talking and a physical game."
Washington's Otto Porter suggested Wednesday that the Celtics played dirty, which Boston's Isaiah Thomas brushed off while noting, "We ain't gonna be running and telling. That's what we're not going to do. But we're not a dirty team. That's not what the Celtics are about. We play hard. So if playing hard is dirty, then I guess we are a dirty team. But there was no dirty play. I didn't see none. It's just a lot of chatter. That's what guys do."
Asked Friday about Porter's suggestion that Boston plays dirty, Crowder likewise disagreed.
"That's the first time I'd ever heard that one. But it is what it is," said Crowder. "I know we play harder. We do play harder, and it's not going to be easy. Guys know that. I don't look at it as dirty, though."
The Celtics and Wizards have had a series of incidents over the past two seasons. Earlier this season, Smart and Wall exchanged words during the Wizards' lopsided win in November. Last season, Crowder accused former Wizards coach Randy Wittman of cursing at him and got a technical for barking back at the coach from the court.
Boston visits Washington on Jan. 24.