Nuggets' Afflalo fined $15K for flagrant foul on Jazz's Burks

The NBA has fined Denver Nuggets wing Arron Afflalo $15,000 for his Flagrant Foul-Penalty 2 on Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks on Monday, the league announced Tuesday.

During the fourth quarter of Monday's game, Afflalo was assessed the Flagrant 2 after connecting with Burks's head when trying to block a layup. The league's release called his attempt "excessive contact about the shoulders," resulting in the fine.

Flagrant 2 penalties come with an automatic league review and, in some cases, suspension. While Afflalo avoided missing games, he justified his block attempt following the game:

I was trying to go for a block, pretty much. I’m not trying to be a tough guy, not trying to commit a hard foul. Things that ensue after that is all verbal in front of the refs and a lot of people. To me that means nothing. Honestly I just thought I committed a hard foul and he finished the game so he was OK.

Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw said he understood the call but didn't believe it was an intentional dirty play.

Afflalo was previously suspended in March 2012 for one game for throwing an elbow at Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, which was the only other instance of him receiving discipline from the league.