NBA warns Raptors GM Masai Ujiri

ByMARC STEIN
April 21, 2014, 7:11 PM

— -- Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri will not be fined or punished for the expletive he uttered Saturday at a pep rally before the Raptors' home playoff opener, according to sources familiar with the league's ruling.

Sources told ESPN.com that Ujiri received a formal warning after separate conversations Monday with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and president of basketball operations Rod Thorn.

But the league, sources said, decided that no further sanction was justified in this case, given Ujiri's spotless history as a executive with both the Denver Nuggets and Raptors and the fact that the incident took place at a pep rally designed to get Toronto's fans fired up for Game 1 of its series against Brooklyn.

Ujiri shouted "F--- Brooklyn!" at a fan rally outside Air Canada Centre prior to Game 1 of his team's first-round Eastern Conference playoff series Saturday against the Nets -- a 94-87 Brooklyn victory.

Ujiri's use of the expletive was captured by a fan and posted on Instagram. Ujiri apologized later Saturday during a brief session with reporters at halftime.

"Wrong choice of words out there," he said. "It is really not about me. It is about the players and the playoffs.

"Just trying to get the crowd out there rattled -- wrong choice of words. I apologize to kids out there and to the Brooklyn guys. Nothing against them. Just trying to get our fans going. That's it."

Ujiri, who did not answer any questions during the session, reiterated that he does not like the Nets.

"You know how I feel," he said with a chuckle. "Thanks guys. I apologize for not taking any questions, but you know how I feel. I don't like 'em. I apologize."

Information from ESPNNewYork.com's Mike Mazzeo and Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.