Commissioner David Stern, who attended Monday's game in Dallas, called the largest fine ever levied against an NBA coach only "an intermediary step" and said an investigation will continue when the Rockets finish their playoff run.

Stern even implied that Jeff Van Gundy could face a lifetime ban.

"I didn't see anything wrong with what I said," Van Gundy said after the game. "But certainly, obviously, for a statement like that to come out, he obviously differs. ... That's all right."

Van Gundy laughed off the entire case before the game, and Yao offered to pay half the fine.