Yahoo Finance NBA fines Kevin Durant $50,000 for 'offensive, derogatory' DM exchange with Michael Rapaport
The NBA fined Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant $50,000 for his social media exchange with actor and comedian Michael Rapaport, the league announced on Friday.
Durant was fined “for using offensive and derogatory language on social media,” the NBA said, and has “acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate.” The statement did not mention Rapaport by name.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/nc2OZtl7VP
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 2, 2021
Durant, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in February, also apologized while speaking with reporters on Thursday.
"I'm sorry that people seen that language I used," Durant said. "That's not really what I want people to see and hear from me, but hopefully I can move past it and get back out on the floor."
Kevin Durant’s contentious exchange with Michael Rapaport
Durant and Rapaport started feuding on Twitter back in December, starting when Rapaport criticized Durant for an interview he did on TNT’s “Inside the NBA.”
On Wednesday, Rapaport shared some wild direct messages between the two of them where their conversation escalated fast — and included plenty of profanity, homophobic and misogynistic language.
Warning: The screenshots contain large amounts of profanity and language that is NSFW.
I receive threats and disgusting messages DAILY, but never in my wildest dreams did I think @KDTrey5 would be among them. The 🐍 himself is now threatening me, bringing up my wife and wants to fight. This is supposed to be America’s sweetheart right? #ImDaRealMVP pic.twitter.com/l1VQfGMMRF
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) March 30, 2021
Durant apologized in a tweet less than an hour later, claiming that they have had more contentious exchanges than what Rapaport shared — though Rapaport continued to slam Durant on social media.
Durant has averaged 29 points and 7.3 rebounds in 19 games for the Nets so far this season. He hasn’t played since Feb. 13 while dealing with a hamstring strain, though coach Steve Nash said last week that he “looks great.” It’s unclear when he will be able to return to the court.
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