Hawks Co-Owner Fined $35k for Criticizing Refs, Kevin Garnett

Michael Gearon Jr. lost on two fronts: the basketball court and his wallet. The NBA fined the Atlanta Hawks’ co-owner for comments made prior to Game 6 of the Hawks/Celtics series. Per the AJC: “The NBA fined Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. and forward Ivan Johnson for their actions during the team’s recent playoff series against the Celtics. The league fined Gearon $35,000 for public criticism of officials and negative comments about Celtics forward Kevin Garnett. The NBA docked Johnson for making an obscene gesture to Celtics fans as he left the court following the Hawks’ loss Thursday in Boston. A Hawks spokesman said the team would have no comment on the discipline against Gearon and Johnson. The NBA announced the fines Saturday.”