The NBA let Markieff Morris off easy for intentionally and illegally trying to impact the outcome of a game. (Getty)

The NBA announced on Wednesday that it was fining Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris $15,000 for tugging on Seth Curry’s shorts in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.

Morris will not be suspended.

The incident occurred during a critical juncture of the game.

Morris tried to impact game from the bench

With the game tied at 111 in the final seconds of regulation and Portland holding the ball for a final shot, Curry set up in the corner as Damian Lillard was crossing halfcourt with the ball.

When Lillard started to attack the basket, Morris reached out and grabbed Curry’s shorts to impede his movement. Morris was on the bench.

Markieff Morris pulling Seth Curry's short from the sideline (via @cjzero) pic.twitter.com/MAkPa4n0M9 — The Render (@TheRenderNBA) October 23, 2018





Here’s a wider view of the play.

Beal blocks Lillard at the buzzer 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀 #Wizards pic.twitter.com/QWGBeWsrLi — Off the Glass (@otgbasketball) October 23, 2018





Wizards won in overtime

Officials missed the play. Lillard missed the go-ahead attempt, and the Wizards prevailed in overtime, 125-124.

Here’s the statement from the NBA.

Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris has been fined $15,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. Morris, who was not in the game at the time, twice grabbed the uniform of Portland Trail Blazers guard Seth Curry during live play. The incidents occurred on the final play of the fourth quarter of the Wizards’ 125-124 overtime win over Portland on Oct. 22 at Moda Center

NBA goes easy on Morris

The NBA also fined Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton $15,000 on Wednesday.

Walton’s violation was complaining about the officials.

Morris received the same penalty for blatant cheating.

It’s easy to laugh at Morris’ stunt as simply bush-league shenanigans. But it was an intentional illegal act to impact a critical juncture of a game that he wasn’t even playing in.

Morris deserves a significantly stiffer punishment. The NBA needs to do better here.

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