Westbrook fined $10K, assessed tech for initiating Game 4 confrontation

The NBA announced that Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has been fined $10,000 and assessed a technical foul for "initiating a confrontation with Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert."

With 7:55 remaining in the fourth quarter, Westbrook approached Gobert and appeared to slap his hand. Gobert had just suffered below-the-belt contact from Thunder guard Raymond Felton.

There was minor concern that Westbrook might not have been legally checked into the contest at the time of the incident, which could have triggered a Game 5 suspension, though the league confirmed the reigning MVP was eligible to be on the court during the fracas.