Wizards’ Bryant fined $45K for contact with NBA ref

NEW YORK — Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant was fined $45,000 by the NBA on Saturday for “inappropriate contact” with an official in a pre-season game on Thursday.

The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Wizards’ game against Detroit, after Pistons big man Blake Griffin manhandled Bryant to the floor.

Bryant bounced up and tried to confront a laughing Griffin, but a game official got between them.

Bryant touched and shoved the official as he tried to get to Griffin, who was assessed a flagrant foul for his actions. Bryant received a technical foul.

Bryant, entering his fourth season, is expected to be the Wizards’ starting center. Last season he averaged career highs in points (13.2), rebounds (7.2), assists (1.8), blocks (1.1), and minutes (24.9) per game.