INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert has apologized for using a gay slur and cursing during his news conference after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The team issued a statement from Hibbert on Sunday morning in which he said he was sorry for his “insensitive remarks.”
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“They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views,” he said in the statement. “I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television.”
After Saturday night’s win, Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on Miami’s LeBron James with “no homo.” He also referred to reporters as “y’all (expletive).”
Hibbert could be disciplined by the NBA, but the center said Saturday that he didn’t care if he got fined.
In his statement Sunday, he said, “I sincerely have deep regret over my choice of words last night.”
Hibbert had drawn a key charge on James in Indiana’s 91-77 victory and lamented not providing enough help to teammate Paul George on James in Game 3.
Hibbert was later asked why he finished so low in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, telling reporters that it was “because y’all (expletive) don’t watch us play throughout the year, to tell you the truth.”
The 7-foot-2 Hibbert’s star turn has been a major reason Indiana has pushed the defending champion Heat to a Game 7. He has averaged 22.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in the series, up from 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in the regular season.
