Jason Kidd fined $50,000 for intentionally spilling drink

Jeff Zillgitt | USA TODAY Sports

The NBA fined Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd $50,000 for his spilled-drink shenanigans that took place in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 99-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the league announced Thursday.

The league said the fine was "for intentionally spilling a drink on the floor to delay the game."

With eight seconds remaining and the Nets with no timeouts left, Kidd subbed in Mirza Teletovic for Tyshawn Taylor. As Taylor headed to the bench, he bumped into Kidd, spilling Kidd's soda on the court.

The liquid needed to be cleaned up, giving the Nets, who were trailing 97-94, time to huddle and draw up a three-point shot. Nets assistant coach John Welch designed the play for Paul Pierce, who missed a potential game-tying three.

According to amateur lip-readers, Kidd said, "Hit me," to Taylor. In a season of woe for Kidd, it may have been his best coaching move this season.

"Sweaty palms," Kidd explained after the game. "I was never good with the ball."

Taylor also tried to say it was an accident.

"It might ice a free-throw shooter and be a timeout when you don't have one. But that wasn't the thought process," Taylor said.

The NBA did not buy Kidd's excuse and were not thrilled the first-year coach pulled that stunt. The Nets are 4-11, and scrutiny on Kidd and the high-priced Nets is increasing with each loss.

Follow national NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.