NEW YORK (AP) - The NBA fined Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant $25,000 on Friday for making a “menacing gesture,” when he pretended to slice his throat after throwing down a big dunk during the Thunder’s victory against the Golden State Warriors.
The play that led to Durant’s costly celebration occurred with about 1:45 left in the second quarter of Oklahoma City’s 116-97 win at Golden State.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook blocked Stephen Curry’s layup, and Durant corralled the ball and went in for a soaring dunk at the other end of the court. He then made throat-slashing gesture and crossed his hands in prayer.
“Kill `em and pray for `em after the game,” Durant said.
“It’s nothing against the team I’m playing against,” Durant added. “Come out with a mindset and be friends after the game.”
Durant apologized before Friday night’s 106-90 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
“If I offended anybody, I’m sorry for that,” he told The Oklahoman. “I was just going out there and having fun playing the game.”
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