New York Knicks center Samuel Dalembert has been fined $15,000 for elbowing Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas in the face Sunday.
Dalembert, who won’t be suspended, was ejected from the 118-108 Knick loss.
The Knicks big man was frustrated after the game Sunday, believing he didn’t deserve to be tossed.
I did see the replay,’’ Dalembert said. “Honestly, if I really wanted to hit him, he wouldn’t be playing right now. He was holding my arms. I kept mentioning that. Actually he was the one who elbowed me in the first half. He kept holding me, I said, ‘Stop holding my arms,’ and I made that sudden movement and I actually hit him.’’
Dalembert said Valanciunas was exaggerating “a little bit” when he “accidentally” hit him.
After recently losing his starting spot, Dalembert has been coming off the bench for Derek Fisher. The Knicks return to action on Christmas day when they host the John Wall and the Wizards.
