Raptors' Masai Ujiri fined after all for expletive

TORONTO — The NBA has changed course and will fine Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri for his profane, playful outburst aimed at the Brooklyn Nets.

The NBA initially issued Ujiri a formal warning for his "(expetive) Brooklyn" charge during a pep rally outside Air Canada Centre before the Raptors played the Nets in Game 1 of their first-round series. But NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who attended Game 1, and president of basketball operations Rod Thorn reconsidered and fined Ujiri $25,000 late Monday.

Monday, a much calmer Ujiri — that will happen after a phone call with the league office — re-stated his apology in an interview with USA TODAY Sports.

"I do apologize," he said. "It was the wrong choice of words. My mom raised me better than that."

The passionate Ujiri's emotions got the best of him front of fans and realizing his faux pas, he apologized at halftime while still expressing his dislike for the Nets.

Ujiri said he was trying to fire up the crowd and show support for the Raptors.

"I have a responsibility here, and my responsibility is to rally our fans and our team and be a leader who is passionate about the game and what I do and stand tall for who we are," he said.

Ujiri turned into a folk hero in Toronto.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president and CEO Tim Leiweke supported Ujiri with a caveat.

"I love what Masai did because who it really meant something to were the players — the fact he was willing to stand up for them and fight back," Leiweke told USA TODAY Sports. "That meant a lot to me. Again, I don't think we need to be out doing f-bombs in order to get there. But I admire him for fighting for this organization."

Follow national NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter at @JeffZillgitt.