NBA star suffers on-court meltdown and is held back by coaches after being ejected for throwing ball at fans

Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton had a meltdown on the court, overcome by frustration against the Toronto Raptors.

Early into the second quarter on Thursday, the game was closely contested north of the border with the Raptors up, 31-29.

Already discouraged by the officiating, Claxton was fouled by Toronto’s Kelly Olynyk on his way to the basket. While the referees blew the whistle on the contact, Claxton reacted by chucking the ball toward the crowd – resulting in a technical foul.

The broadcast crew then quickly pointed out Claxton had been tossed out of the game for tallying two technical fouls, exiting the contest just under four minutes into the second frame.

An alternative angle then showed the Georgia product picking up a seat cushion and appearing in motion to throw it before he was held back by the Nets coaching staff.

After the cushion was ripped from his hands, Claxton was escorted into the tunnel and the dressing room where he spent the rest of the game.

He finished his shift early with seven points and five rebounds in 11 minutes of play.

Nonetheless, the Nets secured the 101-94 win in Toronto to move to an 11-16 record.

Cameron Johnson led the Nets with a double-double of 33 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Ben Simons and Shake Milton contributed 12 points each to the victory, with Simmons leading Brooklyn in assists with seven.

Noah Clowney came off the bench and nearly clocked in a double-double with 11 points and nine boards.

Claxton is in his sixth season in Brooklyn after getting drafted with the 31st pick in 2019. He is averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 62.3 per cent from the field.

The Nets sit 11th in the Eastern Conference and will face the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center on December 21.