Gray to Pay $5,000, Sit Out a Game; 3 Lakers Also Fined

Byron Scott and Michael Cooper, who said that they had engaged in Tuesday night’s fight with Charlotte Hornet center Stuart Gray strictly to protect Laker teammate James Worthy, nonetheless were fined by the NBA office Wednesday.

Scott was fined $2,000 and Cooper $1,000 for “adding to the escalation of the altercation,” according to Rod Thorn, the NBA’s vice president of operations. Gray was fined $5,000 and suspended for a game for fighting with no fewer than five Lakers. Worthy was fined $500 for pushing Gray.

Laker players were told of the fines before Wednesday night’s game against the Miami Heat.

“I’m going to pay it,” said Scott, who also was fined $500 after being the third player in a pushing incident between Magic Johnson and Phoenix’s Kevin Johnson on Nov. 7.

Said Cooper: “I guess it’s justified. There’s nothing we can do about it. (The league) has made a stand about fighting.”

Added Worthy: “It’s justice.”

Gray, according to Thorn, was fined and suspended for “initiating an altercation with James Worthy, throwing a punch and brawling.” He will sit out Charlotte’s game tonight at Washington.