NBA commissioner David Stern released a statement against the decision by Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs to send home Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green instead of traveling with the team to play the Miami Heat on Thursday.

"I apologize to all NBA fans," said Stern. "This was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming."

A source tells Adrian Wojnarowski that the Spurs received no word from the NBA about possibile penalties prior to Stern's statement.

The Lakers received a $25,000 fine in April of 1990 for sitting Magic Johnson and James Worthy in a late regular season game.

Jerry Buss apologized to the fans of the Blazers, as the game was held in Portland.