11:57 AM PT -- Nurkic claims the altercation went down after the fan said "your mom is trash" and his "grandma’s a bitch," according to Yahoo Sports.
Nurkic announced back in August 2020 his grandma died of COVID-19.
Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkić's wallet is now significantly lighter ... the NBA just fined him $40,000 for tossing a fan's phone in a confrontation after a game on Sunday.
The league announced the punishment Tuesday morning ... reprimanding the 27-year-old for his actions in a postgame spat with a Pacers supporter.
If you missed it, following Portland's 129-98 loss to Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse ... Nurkić walked up to a fan, stared him down and then grabbed his phone and threw it.
Jusuf Nurkic tosses this fan's phone. 😳
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 21, 2022
(h/t @ClutchPointsApp)
pic.twitter.com/s5ULBua3cX
Nurkić appeared to mutter some words to the guy -- before security ultimately separated them.
It's unclear what the fan said to piss off Nurkić -- but the NBA clearly didn't care either way, slapping him with the big fine.
Nurkić, who's been sidelined for several weeks while battling plantar fasciitis, has yet to address the incident publicly.
The Association, meanwhile, has been doling out a lot of fines like this one recently -- as NBA players have consistently fired back at fans throughout this season.
Somehow this got reported? But my wife is just like KD when I say I’m getting one more drink. pic.twitter.com/qcNZygISMm
— DeLo (@DeLo_77) March 17, 2022
In fact, just days ago, Kevin Durant was hit with a $25,000 fine for cussing out a fan who was sitting courtside at a game earlier this month.
Originally Published -- 9:33 AM PT