The NBA has fined Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse $15,000 for his criticism towards officials:

Nurse's criticism was in defense of Kawhi Leonard. More specifically, Nurse was not pleased with the way Leonard was being officiated.

Following Sunday's 95-86 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Nurse argued that Leonard isn't receiving the treatment that other players are:

“I do not understand why they are letting everybody play one of the best players in the league so physically,” Nurse told TSN's Josh Lewenberg. “I do not understand it. It's been going on all year. But tonight was a very severe case of a guy who was playing great, taking it to the rim and getting absolutely held, grabbed, poked, slapped, hit and everything, and they refused to call any of it. It's unbelievable to me.”

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Eric Koreen of The Athletic shared more of the comments Nurse made about the way Leonard is officiated:

Nurse is clearly making a stand for his star player, but the simple fact is: Leonard entered Sunday's game averaging the ninth-most free throws (6.9) in the NBA.

Leonard, now 27 years of age, can opt out of his deal this summer and become a free agent. The Raptors are obviously hoping he'll stay with the club, and it's clear they're willing to defend him.

The Raptors are off to a great start to this season. With a 23-9 record, Toronto owns the best record in the NBA. Let's just say, hypothetically, that they make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Would Leonard be enticed to stay?