Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire has been fined $50,000 for using what the league termed "offensive and derogatory language'' in a Twitter message, NBA disciplinarian Stu Jackson announced Tuesday.

Last week, in a direct message that has not seen by the public, Stoudemire responded to a fan with a homosexual slur after the fan tweeted that the forward needed step up next season.

"I am a huge supporter of civil rights for all people," Stoudemire said in a statement. "I am disappointed in myself for my statement to a fan. I should have known better and there is no excuse."

Antonella Foglia / Splash News

Amar'e Stoudemire.

Stoudemire also used a curse word in the direct message that was handed over to a website and made public.

Stoudemire later apologized in a private direct message to the fan.

It was another incident in a string of unfortunate episodes for Stoudemire. Stoudemire's role on the team decreased, his brother died in a car accident and he needed hand surgery after smashing a glass-enclosed fire extinguisher after a Game 2 loss in Miami.