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Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert was fined $75,000 on Sunday by the NBA for using a gay slur and cursing during his news conference after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Hibbert also apologized for the comments.
"While Roy has issued an apology, which is no doubt sincere, a fine is necessary to reinforce that such offensive comments will not be tolerated by the NBA," commissioner David Stern said in a statement.
Earlier Sunday, the team issued a statement from Hibbert in which he said he was sorry for his "insensitive remarks."
"They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views," he said in the statement. "I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television."
After Saturday night's win, Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on Miami's LeBron James with "no homo." He also called reporters an offensive term.
Before departing for Miami, where Game 7 will be played Monday night, Pacers coach Frank Vogel told reporters he had already spoken with Hibbert and described the 2012 All-Star center as "contrite." Players were not available Sunday.
"I support him. I know he's not that person and that it was a mistake," Vogel said. "He knows he's wrong. I didn't have to tell him that and we all love and support him."
Kings hire coach
The Sacramento Kings have confirmed that Mike Malone will be their new coach. Sacramento announced Sunday that he would be introduced at a news conference Monday, three days after new owner Vivek Ranadive formally took control of the franchise from the Maloof family.
Malone replaces Keith Smart, who was fired Friday shortly after the sale of the team was completed. Ranadive has been a minority owner the last years of the Golden State Warriors, where Malone worked the past two seasons as an assistant under coach Mark Jackson.
Blaylock charged
Former NBA star Mookie Blaylock was charged with driving on a suspended license and failing to stay in his lane in a head-on crash that killed a woman, police said Sunday. Jonesboro (Ga.)
Police said authorities wanted to talk to Blaylock, 46, before deciding whether he should face more serious charges. Officers had not been able to speak with Blaylock because of his injuries but they hope to do so as early as Monday, police said.