LOS ANGELES: Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokić was fined US$25,000 (RM104,000) by the NBA on Wednesday for using derogatory and offensive language, the league said.
A statement from NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe said the 23-year-old Serbian had been sanctioned for comments made after Denver’s 108-107 defeat of the Chicago Bulls on October 31.
Footage of Jokić’s post-game remarks showed the Nuggets ace using homophobic language during remarks to reporters.
Jokić has been a key part of Denver’s strong start to the season, which has seen the Colorado club move to 9-1, just one off top spot behind the Golden State Warriors.
Jokić joined the Nuggets after being selected as the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.
This season he is averaging 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game.