League Slaps Kyrie Irving With Fine For Expletive-Laced Comeback to Fan

 


If Kyrie Irving wants to be a part-time player, he should get used to some full-time heckling at opponents' arenas. He took exception to a Cleveland fan chirping him earlier this week, and lashed out with an expletive-laced comeback, that has now earned him a $25,000 fine from the league.

The incident occurred Monday night, after a courtside fan talked some smack to Kyrie, and he shot back with "Got y'all a championship and motherf—ers still ungrateful.”

Irving was a member of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers that won the franchise's first NBA championship.  

The Brooklyn Nets initially refused to allow the unvaccinated Irving to be a part-time player, as he's banned from playing in home games due to New York City's vaccine mandate. 

But the team reversed course about a month ago, likely under pressure from superstar Kevin Durant, to allow Irving to play in at least road games, as the team was under stress from so many players being out due to health and safety protocols. 

The Nets are 5-4 since Kyrie's return, but are now also without Durant for an extended period, due to a sprained MCL. 

Brooklyn is 3-2 in the road games that Kyrie has been allowed to play, after barely holding on for a 119-118 win over the Washington Wizards Wednesday night. Irving has averaged 22 points and 5.4 assists in his 5 games, while shooting 33% from 3-point range. 

Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports