Report: Pacers Forward David West Fined $15k

Jan 18, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) is guarded by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN.com, Indiana Pacers’ David West has been fined $15,000 by the league for elbowing Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin in Saturday night’s game.

The play occurred after the halftime buzzer went off, while West and Griffin were fighting over the ball. In frustration, likely built up throughout the first half, West threw an elbow that connected with the side of Griffin’s head. West was immediately given a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game.

It was a dumb foul for West to commit and could have had a bigger impact on the game. Luckily Danny Granger was able to handle Griffin throughout the second half and the rest of the squad helped make up for the loss of West on the offensive end.

Many were upset by the call, including Hall-of-Fame announcer Reggie Miller, but it was a clear elbow shot to the head, which is a major no-no.

West is lucky the league only fined him and didn’t sit him for the team’s next game as the Pacers head out west for a five-game road trip and will need West against the Golden State Warriors.

This rivalry grew when these two teams met in Los Angeles back in December. Griffin was seen trash talking West, which then turned into West giving the younger Griffin a lesson in respecting his elders.

These two squads won’t meet again this season unless they both make the NBA Finals, which is good for the Pacers because Griffin seems to be the only player who can fully get under West’s skin.

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter, @InkOnIndy, and follow editor Mathew Muncy @MMuncy.