Kevin Durant Fined $15,000 for Public Criticism of Officiation

The NBA has fined Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant $15,000 for public criticism of the officiating, the league announced Thursday.

Durant on Tuesday accused official James Williams of targeting him in the second half after the two had a disagreement about a call early in the Warriors’ 123-112 victory over the New York Knicks. But on Wednesday at practice, Durant said:

“I looked at the plays, a couple techs, and I was being an a–h— last night. I was being a jerk.”

The National Basketball Referees Association tweeted Thursday that it had accepted Durant’s apology for accusing an official of targeting him after he was ejected Tuesday night.

Tension between players and officials have been a dominant theme this season, with multiple star players criticizing the manner in which referees have treated them.

Source: ESPN