Timberwolves point guard Rickey Rubio was warned Saturday by the NBA for violating the league’s anti-flopping policy, the Pioneer Press reports.
The anti-flopping rule was instituted at the beginning of the season to discourage players from trying to fool referees into thinking they’ve been fouled, according to USA Today.
Rubio was cited — but not fined — for trying draw an offensive foul against the Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant late in the fourth quarter of the Wolves’ 101-93 win over the Thunder March 29 at Target Center.
If Rubio violates the policy again, he will be fined $5,000. The fines could go as high as $30,000 for a fifth violation, and he could be suspended if it happens a sixth time.
Wolves guard J.J. Barea violated the anti-flopping policy for the second time this season in January and was fined $5,000.
USA Today reports the anti-flopping violations have been on the decline over the season, with seven violations each in the first and second months of the season, three in third and zero in the fourth.
