Spurs star Zach Collins awaiting punishment for on-court gesture aimed at referee
The heat of battle became all too much for San Antonio Spurs star Zach Collins as he directed his frustrations towards a match official after being ejected from the game.
Having made just two points, two rebounds and one assist, Collins was left fuming late in the second quarter after he was pinged for back-to-back technical foul against the Kings.
As he began his walk back to the bench, the 27-year-old turned his attention to referee Michael Smith and raised his middle finger.
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San Antonio Spurs star Zach Collins was ejected for making an "obscene gesture" to a referee. Supplied
"He just got a tech... and now he is thrown out," a commentator said.
"Zach Collins is out of the game. Michael Smith just threw him out."
Collins, who had yet to be ejected as he approached the bench, was seen voicing his frustrations to match officials - which prompted Smith to eject him from the game.
The act will likely see him whacked with a fine but it remains unclear whether he will receive a suspension.
Zach Collins #23 of the San Antonio Spurs is ejected. Getty
Last week Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook was fined $54,000 AUD for "making an obscene gesture" towards the New York Knicks' bench.
The incident marks the third straight game in which a Sacramento Kings' opponent has been ejected.
DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis led the scoring the the Kings and handed the Spurs the second consecutive defeat without French star Victor Wembanyama.
San Antonio's Julian Champagnie sunk six three-pointers to finish the match with 30 points.
Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs. Getty
But the individual brilliance of Champagnie could not prevent his team from allowing 100 points to be put on the board by their rivals ahead of the fourth quarter, for the second week in a row.
The Spurs will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday (AEDT) before meeting the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Kings are scheduled to face the Nuggets on Tuesday (AEDT) then Los Angeles Lakers on Friday (AEDT).
