Suns C O'Neal fined $25,000

Nov 18, 2008 - 7:57 AM MESA, Arizona (Ticker) - Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal was fined $25,000 after being called for a flagrant foul in Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons, according to a published report Monday.

The East Valley Tribune cited Stu Jackson, the NBA executive vice president of basketball operations, who said the big man was fined for "verbal abuse of an official and failure to leave the floor in a timely manner."

O'Neal was whistled for a flagrant foul two with 5:19 left in the second quarter. Rodney Stuckey went up for a layup and O'Neal fouled him hard, sending him onto the court chest-first. The play was reviewed by the official and the flagrant foul two call was upheld, resulting in an automatic ejection.

O'Neal, who argued heatedly with officials before leaving the court, scored 12 points - including 10 in the second quarter.

The future Hall of Famer also had to take out his checkbook last Friday, when he was fined $35,000 for his role in an altercation between Houston Rockets guard Rafer Alston and Suns forward Matt Barnes.