Rajon Rondo fined by NBA for trying to trip Celtics’ Jae Crowder from bench

Rajon Rondo might be out indefinitely, but the Chicago Bulls point guard still found a way to get fined while on the bench. Rondo was docked $25,000 by the league Sunday for attempting to trip Celtics forward Jae Crowder during Game 3 on Friday.

The sequence took place late in the first quarter of the Celtics’ 104-87 win. Crowder knocked down a jumper in front of the Bulls bench then proceeded to get back on defense. As he ran past the Bulls bench, Rondo casually lifted his right leg, which Crowder avoided.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/855595766890598400

Rondo, who is out indefinitely with a thumb injury, said after the game that he lifted his leg to avoid leg stiffness from a previous ACL tear.

The league obviously didn’t buy that excuse, fining Rondo hours before Sunday’s Game 4 as the Celtics try to even the series.

The NBA also fined Rockets guard Patrick Beverly $25,000 for his confrontation with a Thunder fan during Game 3.