NBA fines Kyrie Irving, Nets over interview access

Field Level Media/Reuters

Posted at May 06 2021 08:59 AM

NBA fines Kyrie Irving, Nets over interview access 1
Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving (11) reaches for the loose ball between Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters.

The NBA fined guard Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets $35,000 each for violating league rules about interview access.

"The fines result from Irving's repeated refusal to participate in team postgame media availability," the league said in a release.

Irving was also fined $25,000 during the preseason for refusing to speak with the media, which athletes in both the NBA and other professional leagues are obligated to do.

At the time, Irving held his ground, responding with a social media post that ended with the line, "I do not talk to Pawns. My attention is worth more." 

Eventually, he relented and began to speak with reporters, for a time.