Miami Heat's Justise Winslow Fined $15K For Stepping On Joel Embiid's Mask

Something tells me Justise Winslow's antics will either have no effect on the outcome of the series. There is a strange possibility that he may have awoken the competitive spirit of Joel Embiid, already magnified to a barely manageable level. Embiid returned in game 3 with a spirited performance, managing 23 points and getting under the opponents skin in a 20-point victory. During the game, Embiid wore a protective mask held in place by an elastic. In the second quarter, his opponent Justise Winslow tried stamp on it and rip it apart, after finding the headgear dislodged on the court.



For his actions, Justise Winslow will be fined a total of $15,000. Embiid told reporters, “It’s going to take much more than that to get me out of this series. I’m going to be a nightmare for them.” Embiid also joked that he has about 50 other masks in the wardrobe department.

The series was a close affair before Embiid returned, but now seems destined for a different sequence events. In all their history, the Miami Heat have been a well-coached, spirited bunch. Game 4 is happening as we speak, with Winslow retaining his place in the lineup. May the best team pull ahead.