It was funny at the time, but to the NBA, a superstar player kicking an opposing player in the groin on national TV is no laughing matter.
The incident occurred during the 4th quarter of the Miami Heat vs Charlotte Bobcats game on Wednesday. Miami was ahead 83-79 with 8:12 left in the 4th quarter, when Wade dribbled the basketball down the court and was fouled by sessions. As the ref blew the whistle, Wade lifted his left leg impacting Sessions’ nether regions.
It was difficult to believe that the kick was not intentional, as Sessions rolled around on the floor in obvious distress.
But Sessions recovered quickly and jumped up to confront Wade. The two men exchanged words before being separated by the officials and players of both teams. The refs missed the now-infamous kick, but the NBA’s front office did not. The league suspended Wade for one game without pay on Thursday.
Wade will sit out the Miami Heat vs Detroit Pistons game on Friday.
After the suspension was announced on Thursday, Wade defended himself against accusations that he was a dirty player.
“I’m far from being a dirty player, (plus) my intent was never 2 kick Ramon Sessions,” Wade tweeted Thursday as he and Sessions trended on Twitter. “I just reacted to the contact that I got from him. More than anything, I think of my boys watchin me be4 retaliating 2ward any player.”
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