Mavs C Dampier fined $35,000 for criticizing refs

Mavericks center Erick Dampier has been fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing game officials.

Dampier's punishment, announced Monday, was for comments he made following a 94-90 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night.

NBA commissioner David Stern said last week the league will consider suspending players from playoff games for griping about the officials. Dampier is the first player punished since then, receiving the same $35,000 levied against others.