SRB - Snowboarding costs Radmanovic fine

LOS ANGELES (NBA) - Serbia forward Vladimir Radmanovic has been fined by the Los Angeles Lakers after suffering a separated shoulder while snowboarding - an activity specifically banned in his contract.

The extent of the fine was not disclosed by the team.

Radmanovic suffered the injury in an accident on February 17 and is expected to be sidelined until mid to late April.

Radmanovic initially told the team that he sustained the injury when he slipped on a patch of ice and fell, but later admitted it occurred while he was snowboarding.

"We discussed internally among our coach, ownership and management a variety of disciplinary options and thought that this was the fairest and most appropriate action," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said.

"We consider this a closed issue now and look forward to Vlade's return to action where he'll be able to use his talents to help our team."

Slowed by a hand injury early in the season, Radmanovic is averaging just 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in 52 games. He is shooting less than 43% from the field and 34% from three-point range.

The Lakers signed Radmanovic as a free agent last July.

The 6ft 10in Serbian averaged 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds, shooting nearly 42% from three-point range, in 30 games with the Los Angeles Clippers last season after being acquired from Seattle.

FIBA