Curry calls $50K fine an 'expensive mouthpiece toss'

DALLAS --Stephen Curry was relieved when he found out he would be allowed to play in Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.

But the Golden State Warriorssuperstar told ESPN he was "kind of surprised" when he learned of the $50,000 price he would pay.

"It's an expensive mouthpiece toss," Curry told ESPN after he poured in a game-high 29 points in the Warriors' 133-103 victory. "At the end of the day, it's not about the money, it's about me not doing stupid stuff and losing my cool like that. It's obviously a tough blow, but it's more so about me recognizing how to handle myself on the court."

Curry was fined $50,000 for throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of a game official during Saturday's 111-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA announced Monday, hours before the Warriors and Mavericks were to tip off.

The 6-foot-3 sharpshooter had tossed his mouthpiece while complaining about a no-call on a drive. He was immediately ejected. Kevin Durant was also ejected when he joined Curry in arguing with the officials, but the league didn't announce discipline for Durant.

As part of the same incident, Andre Iguodala was fined $15,000 for verbally abusing a game official.

Many argued that Curry deserved a one-game suspension, but the league was unable to prove he intentionally aimed to hit the referee.

An apologetic Curry called his actions "disappointing" and "unacceptable."

"It was embarrassing, and I know that," Curry told ESPN. "I can't do that. I know the league wants to crack down on that type of behavior and I understand why. I've got to be better than that."

The NBA fined Curry $25,000 after he threw his mouthpiece during Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals and inadvertently hit a fan. Curry, who occasionally tosses his mouthpiece to the hardwood when upset, realizes that if another incident arises, he could face a heftier fine or even possibly a suspension.

He said he's going to make a concerted effort to make sure his mouthpiece never leaves his possession during play. He called this situation an expensive learning experience that he's ready to move on from.

"I didn't really need the fine" to correct his behavior, he told ESPN. "I'm actually glad I got to play, but I wish I had that money back."