National Basketball Association (NBA) has fined $50,000 to the Brooklyn Nets’ star Kyrie Irving for an unprofessional gesture. The No. 11 was seen giving Boston Celtics fans the middle finger after a tough jumper.
Irving flipped off several fans of the Celtics on two occurrences while the ongoing playoffs’ Game 1 on Sunday. Byron Spruell, the president of the NBA league operations through a release stated that the Nets’ Irving was punished for “making obscene gestures on the playing court and directing profane language towards the spectator stands.”
The Brooklyn Nets lost their Game 1 against Boston Celtics with a score of 115-114 and Irving said that he was just replying back to the word he heard from the spectators, reported ESPN. Irving further stated that he just responded in a way the fans had for him with “the same energy”.
NBA has been strictly punishing players for their professionalism and unsportsmanlike conduct including using of profane language. Recently, Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Patrick Beverley was also fined for the same gesture towards the clippers following their advancement to the playoffs.
Seventh in the Eastern Conference, Nets will be in action again against the Celtics that currently lead 1-0, tomorrow for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series at 4:30 am IST.
