Pistons’ Evan Fournier Fined $25K After Kicking Ball into Stands After Loss to Heat

Andrew PetersMarch 19, 2024

Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images

Detroit Pistons guard Evan Fournier has been fined $25,000 after kicking a ball into the stands following a loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday, the league announced Monday.

The play came after Heat center Bam Adebayo hit a game-winning three-pointer to seal a 104-101 win over the Pistons. After the shot fell, Fournier picked up the ball and punted it into the stands out of frustration.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportBAM GAMEWINNER AT THE BUZZER 🚨🔥 pic.twitter.com/jDArIXwGbu

The Pistons tied the game with less than a minute to go on a layup from Cade Cunningham. Detroit then had a chance to take the lead with nine seconds to go, but Cunningham missed a three-pointer that led to Adebayo’s shot.

Fournier had 18 points in the loss, marking his highest-scoring game since joining the Pistons in February. The 11-year veteran was traded from the New York Knicks to Detroit for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.

Since joining the Pistons, Fournier has taken on a much bigger role than he had in New York. He played in just three games for the Knicks before he was traded, and he now averages 16.9 minutes per game and is putting up 7.8 points.

Fournier, who averaged 19.7 points per game just a few seasons ago, is looking for a strong second act to his career, and he could be a valuable veteran for the Pistons to have as they continue their rebuild.

Fournier’s frustration on Sunday was a fitting reaction for the season the Pistons are having. Detroit sits in second-to-last place in the Eastern Conference at an abysmal 12-55, showing few signs of improvement as the season has continued. A loss on a buzzer-beater just added salt to the wound.