Indianapolis Pacers' Paul George fined for kicking ball

Indiana Pacers star forward Paul George was fined $15,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for kicking a ball into the stands and hitting a woman in the face with it during Saturday's game against the Chicago Bulls.

George was ejected from the contest -- the first of his career -- for the soft kick that hit Lindsey Yeager, a Pacers employee working with the Fox Sports Indiana television crew.

"I just meant to kick the ball against the (stanchion)," George said after the contest. "And my soccer skills aren't as good as I thought. I apologized to whoever I hit. I'm glad my team was able to pick up this win and me not be at fault for this loss."

George apologized to Yeager before leaving the court and later sent her flowers and a personalized note.

"Lindsey, I'm sorry for the ball hitting you at the game on Saturday! It was not intentional. I hope you are feeling okay," George wrote in the note.