WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has been fined 15,000 US dollars for public criticism of the officiating, NBA announced on Tuesday.

Nurse made his comments to the media following the Raptors' 95-86 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 16.

Nurse said the officials ignored fouls made against Raptors star Kawhi Leonard, adding that Leonard had only four free throws after he was "grabbed, poked, slapped, hit and everything".

"It was unbelievable to me. You can't tell me one of the best players in the league takes a hundred hits in that game and shoots four free throws," Nurse said after the game.