Steph Curry was ejected for throwing his mouthguard into the crowd as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat his Golden State Warriors side 115-101 to force a decisive game seven in the NBA finals.
After fouling out late in the fourth quarter, a frustrated Curry threw his mouthguard, which hit a supporter.
The 28-year-old apologized to the fan before leaving the court in Cleveland.
Victory in Oakland on Monday would make the Cavaliers the first team to win the finals having trailed 3-1.
It would also be their first NBA title.
“I had some stuff I wanted to get off my chest,” said Curry, who top scored for his side with 30 points. “It was just frustration and I thought it was kind of hilarious how the last two fouls kind of unfolded.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr added: “He gets six fouls called on him; three of them were absolutely ridiculous. I’m happy he threw his mouthpiece.”
LeBron James scored 41 points for the Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving added 23 in front of a home crowd at the Q Arena.
Golden State set an NBA record of 73 wins in the regular season.
