Clippers guard Austin Rivers fined by NBA

Clippers reserve guard Austin Rivers was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday for flicking a seat cushion into the stands during a fourth-quarter timeout in the Clippers’ 111-104 season-opening victory over the host Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena.

Reports had Rivers throwing the cushion into the stands and hitting a female fan. Rivers said only half of that is true. A woman was hit in the face by the cushion.

“People need to stop saying I threw something because I didn’t throw anything at anybody,” he said before Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. “I hit a pillow and it ricocheted backwards.”