Kyrie accepts fine, but doesn't regret tossing Murray's ball: 'We'll see him again'

Kyrie Irving paid the price Tuesday in the form of a $25,000 fine for launching the game ball into the stands after Monday's loss to the Denver Nuggets following Jamal Murray's attempt to cheaply reach the 50-point mark in the dying seconds.

The Boston Celtics All-Star feels the fine was warranted, but that doesn't mean he regrets his actions.

"Well deserved. There's a sense of professionalism that you have to uphold in this league, and I failed to do so. I take full responsibility for it. Obviously in the event anyone gets hurt, I'm taking full responsibility for it. You just don't want to have situations like that," said Irving on Tuesday.

"From a competition and competitive standpoint, I think it absolutely deserved to go in the stands still. You just don't play basketball like that. It's as simple as that. You just don't. There's a tradition and respect within the league, as well as in any basketball game. Obviously you've won the game, you have it sealed. You had a great game, the game of your life, and then you do something like that. It's just petty, it's immature. We'll see him again, though."

Related: Murray meant 'no disrespect' with late shot attempt

There have been four 50-point outings in the Association to begin the 2018-19 campaign, and 13 all of last season. Irving understands such a performance is a rarity, but the way Murray - who finished with 48 points - attempted to go about achieving it is what rubbed him the wrong way.

"When everyone knows the intent of it, I think it just makes it clear of what's going on. Obviously I'm watching the play at the end of the game, and I'm just watching to see if he's really going to shoot the ball. That's just so thirsty of a player to just go after something like that," Irving added.

"Clearly 50 points is a big deal, but get it within regulation. Take it as a man, get your free throws, and get to 50 points. But you don't wait until the end of the game when everyone's not playing to just launch up a shot and then nonchalantly go like this as if it doesn't even matter."

The Celtics and Nuggets won't see each other again until March 18 when they square off at TD Garden.