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NBA:Doncic fined after first ejection

Dallas Mavericks prodigy Luka Doncic has been fined $10,000 for kicking a ball into the stands during his team’s defeat by the Indiana Pacers, the NBA confirmed Tuesday.

The NBA confirmed the punishment in a brief statement from Kiki VanDeWeghe, the league’s executive vice president of basketball operations.

Slovenian teenager Doncic, 19, has lit up the NBA this season following a series of superb performances which have belied his tender years.

Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic leaves the game after being called for his second technical foul, during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. The Pacers won 111-99. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

However Doncic was handed his first ejection in an NBA game after losing his cool in the third quarter of the Mavericks’ 111-99 loss to the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

He was tossed for a second technical foul after booting a ball into the spectator stands.

“It’s one of the baddest games I’ve played, so, yeah, I was frustrated for sure,” Doncic said later.

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle expressed sympathy for Doncic but warned he would be expected to control his frustration in future.

“Frustrated, obviously, but it’s a situation that he’s got to avoid,” Carlisle said. “There’s going to be nights like that. He’s got to keep playing the game. We need him. We can’t afford to lose a guy like that.” ( Agence France-Presse )

Tags: Dallas Mavericks , Luka Doncic , NBA , Rick Carlisle