Clippers' Daniel Theis fined for flopping during Timberwolves game
The NBA has assessed Los Angeles Clippers forward Daniel Theis a $2,000 fine for flopping on a play during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis.
On the play, which occurred with 10 minutes, 4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was issued an offensive foul on Theis that negated a dunk from Naz Reid that would’ve given the Wolves a 72-69 lead. Instead, the score remained 70-69 and the Clippers received possession of the ball.
It ended up being quite an important play as the Clippers went on to win 89-88.
Had the flop been called during the game, under the NBA’s new flopping rules implemented this season, Theis would have been charged with a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul and the Timberwolves would have been awarded a free-throw attempt. However, the foul call on Gobert likely would have stood, too.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) shoots as LA Clippers center Daniel Theis (10) defends during the first half at Target Center in Minneapolis on March 3, 2024.
Matt Krohn / USA TODAY Sports
Flopping is not directly reviewable by a coach’s challenge.
The Timberwolves also had points wiped off the board earlier in the game, when a Reid 3-pointer was waved off a few possessions later after review revealed he stepped out of bounds. That came during a 16-0 Clippers run that erased the Timberwolves’ big first-quarter lead. Los Angeles led 49-46 by the end of the first half.
