10:04 AM PT -- The NBA has just handed down its punishment for Cam Thomas -- fining the Nets guard $40,000 for the comment that it called "derogatory and disparaging."
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas used an anti-gay phrase during his postgame interview on Thursday night ... and hours later, he apologized for it -- saying he "definitely didn't intend to offend anyone."
Thomas muttered the expression while on the Barclays Center court speaking with a TNT reporter ... after the Nets had beaten the Chicago Bulls, 116-105.
The media member asked Thomas about comments that his new teammate, Spencer Dinwiddie, had said earlier this week about the Nets needing some help in the looks "department."
"I seen it," Thomas said of Dinwiddie's remarks. "But I was like, 'Man, he just talking.' We already had good-looking dudes."
The 21-year-old then added, "no homo."
Cam Thomas: "We already had good looking guys… no homo." 😂#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/ZnTB9MRtcv
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) February 10, 2023
The reporter was immediately caught off guard by Thomas' words ... saying, "Surely the league office will enjoy that one."
Thomas took to Twitter to issue a mea culpa a short time later.
"I was excited about the win and was being playful," Thomas said. "I definitely didn't intend to offend anyone, but realize that I probably did. My apologies again. Much love."
The NBA has yet to punish Thomas over the interview ... but the league has historically fined players in the past for homophobic comments. In fact, back in September, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was docked $40k for his previous use of anti-gay language.