Kyrie fined $50K for obscene gestures, directing profane language at fans
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has been fined $50,000 for making obscene gestures and directing profane language toward fans during Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, the NBA announced Tuesday.
Irving was repeatedly captured flipping off Celtics fans with his middle finger during Sunday's contest. The seven-time All-Star justified his actions postgame, telling reporters he'd keep jawing with spectators who continue to disrespect him.
Irving and teammate Kevin Durant have now been docked a combined $140,000 this season as punishment for cursing/making profane gestures, according to The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov. Irving and Durant have been assessed five of the nine cursing-related fines the league has handed out this season, Vorkunov adds.
Irving played two seasons with Boston from 2017-19. He became an enemy of the fan base once he left to join Brooklyn as a free agent in the 2019 offseason after publicly promising to re-sign with the Celtics. Irving made matters worse during last season's playoffs by stomping on the Celtics' logo, then likened the fan base to a "scorned girlfriend" in February.
Irving played brilliantly in Game 1, finishing with 39 points, six assists, five rebounds, and four steals in 42 minutes.
Boston leads 1-0 over Brooklyn in the best-of-seven first-round series. The Celtics host the Nets for Game 2 at TD Garden on Wednesday.