Rockets' Green fined $25K for shoving Wolves' Dieng into stands

The NBA announced Tuesday that Houston Rockets wing Gerald Green was fined $25,000 for shoving Minnesota Timberwolves big man Gorgui Dieng into the stands in Sunday's game.

That effectively means that teammate Chris Paul owes the league $25,000, as Green's well-heeled teammate vowed to "cover whatever fine" Green was handed in appreciation for the veteran wing coming to his defense.

While fighting for a loose ball, Dieng appeared to push Paul - an unwanted advance his nearby teammate didn't take lightly. As Dieng was walking near the sideline, Green ran up to the big man and shoved him into the courtside seats, creating an instant fracas.

Green has played an important supporting role as a midseason addition to the top-seeded Rockets, averaging 11.3 points and three rebounds in just over 21 minutes per night. More noteworthy than his floor-spacing, however, has been his penchant for sticking up for his teammates' honor. He and fellow Rocket wing Trevor Ariza were each suspended for two games in January for their role in attempting to confront players from the Los Angeles Clippers in their locker room after a contentious on-court battle.