NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Pelicans All-Star forward Anthony Davis has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for directing an obscene gesture toward a fan.
NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe, who announced the fine on Thursday, says Davis made the offending gesture as he left the court following the Pelicans' 115-109 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in New Orleans on Wednesday night.
Amateur video posted on the internet shows Davis briefly scowling and extending the third finger on his left hand as he walks toward the tunnel leading off the court at the Smoothie King Center. Davis then immediately engages other fans with friendlier gestures including high-fives, as he often has done, before disappearing down the corridor leading toward the Pelicans' locker room.
Davis' relationship with fans at the Smoothie King Center hasn't always been good since he requested a trade this season. He has been booed at games and has been given limited minutes, usually sitting out games altogether.
Davis, a six-time All-Star drafted by New Orleans in 2012, has drawn heavy criticism from some fans since publicly demanding a trade in late January.
He has missed four straight games while being listed on New Orleans' injury report with back spasms.
The Pelicans visit Phoenix on Friday night.
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