A referee holds back P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets after a scuffle with Justin Champagnie #11 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 25, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. Cole Burston/Getty Images/AFP
Toronto Raptors forward Justin Champagnie and Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington were each fined $15,000 by the NBA on Thursday for an on-court shoving exchange during a game on Tuesday.
The incident, which prompted technical fouls and ejections for both American players, came with 1:46 remaining in the first quarter of Toronto’s 125-113 victory over visiting Charlotte.
Washington, 23, delivered a hip check to Champagnie and knocked him to the court on the play before their altercation.
Justin Champagnie and PJ Washington were both ejected after this play. pic.twitter.com/eoxuBssUJP
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 26, 2022
Champagnie, 20, retaliated on the next possession by shoving Washington in the back. Washington responded by shoving Champagnie in return.
In 32 appearances this season, Washington has averaged 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Hornets, who are seventh in the Eastern Conference at 27-22.
Champagnie, who made his NBA debut last November, has averaged 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds a game in 28 appearances for the Raptors, who at 23-23 rank ninth in the Eastern Conference.