NBA fines Nurkic $40K for confronting fan, throwing phone
Warning: Story contains coarse language
The NBA fined injured Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic $40,000 for an incident involving a courtside fan Sunday, the league announced Tuesday.
Following Portland's 129-98 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Nurkic confronted the individual and threw his phone into the stands.
The fan allegedly shouted "Your mom is trash" and said Nurkic's "Grandma's a b----," sources told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes. Nurkic announced in August 2020 that his grandmother died from COVID-19.
Jusuf Nurkic tosses this fan's phone. 😳
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 21, 2022
(h/t @ClutchPointsApp)
pic.twitter.com/s5ULBua3cX
Nurkic last played Feb. 16 due to left foot plantar fasciitis. Portland announced Feb. 23 he'd miss at least four weeks because of the injury. The Bosnian has sat out 12 games since then.
Nurkic is averaging 15 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 56 starts for the lottery-bound Blazers.