With just over four minutes and thirty seconds remaining on the clock, Vucevic was called for traveling. In response, a Pelicans fan yelled something at the Bulls center, which he responded to with a rude gesture.
He later apologized for the incident after Wednesday’s game, saying:
“I figured I would (get fined). It was just in the moment.”
“I got called for a travel. I heard somebody in the stands say something. It wasn’t really towards anybody. It was just frustration.”
He also said that his teammates teased him about the incident as that is not in his character and it is not who he is, a sentiment echoed by the player.
“That’s not who I am. I’ve never had any issues. I’ve never been fined before,” he said.
“It sucks that it was such a little, stupid thing I did in the moment,” Vucevic said. “Obviously, I have to do better and make sure I don’t do that again. Just not a great moment. I apologize to the fans and everybody for it. I’ll learn from it.”
Vucevic has been with the Bulls since 2021. He was traded to the team in March of that year. Prior to that, he had played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic.
In 2021, he was named an NBA All-Star for the second time.