Detroit Pistons center Zaza Pachulia was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday for confronting and verbally abusing a game official and failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected in Sunday's game against the Toronto Raptors, the league announced.
Pachulia was tossed after getting called for two technical fouls in the third quarter.
"A veteran gets pushed in the back twice with no call, and it is tough, but it is also tough to officiate in this league with all those bodies flying around and the emotion and passion,'' Pistons coach Dwane Casey said on Sunday.
Pachulia is averaging 4.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 52 games for the Pistons this season.
