THE NBA has announced that Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving has been fined US$25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands after the team’s 115-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

As time expired, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray took one final three in an attempt to get to 50 points. Irving was upset by the move and launched the ball into the stands. This action by the league was expected following the guard’s postgame actions.

Irving told the media after Monday’s loss that the ball deserved to go in the stands. “Congratulations to him having 48 points. He did it in a great fashion against us. Our defense has to be better, especially against a player like that in the pick-and-roll. He was the primary concern tonight and he made us pay in certain instances of making some tough shots and some tough layups. But the ball deserves to go in the crowd after a move like that. So I threw it in the crowd.”

Boston returns to action tonight as they face the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. (SD-Agencies)