The NBA is making Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets pay for the point guard’s silence. The league fined Irving and the team $25,000 apiece Thursday because he has refused to speak to the media thus far during the preseason.

In announcing the fines, the NBA said Irving has refused on several occasions this week to participate in team media availability.

Irving has had a complicated relationship with the media and was nearly fined by the NBA last season for not speaking as obligated while sidelined by a shoulder injury.

This time, Irving has not spoken during any of the Nets’ press sessions, all being held via Zoom because of the coronavirus pandemic. He released a statement through his publicist last Friday to address his media silence, saying he wanted to ensure that his message was conveyed properly. AP