SALT LAKE CITY (AP) The Utah Jazz were fined $15,000 by the NBA for a skit that ridiculed Karl Malone and teammate Kobe Bryant during a timeout in the Los Angeles Lakers' game at Utah last week.

NBA vice president Stu Jackson levied the fine, issuing a two-paragraph statement Friday saying the Jazz were penalized for ``performing a mascot skit that ridiculed opposing players.''

During a timeout last Saturday, Jazz mascot ``Bear'' answered a fake call that was broadcast over the loudspeakers. The caller imitated Malone's voice and identified himself as ``Mail,'' saying he wanted to come ``home,'' L.A. fans were ``mean'' to him and the Lakers don't pass him the ball.

The call ended with the impersonated voice saying, ``I guess it could be worse. I could be Ko...,'' stopping short of saying Kobe.

Bryant had spent the previous day in Colorado, where he's facing trial on a sexual assault charge.

The skit continued during a later timeout, this time with Jazz owner Larry Miller _ sitting courtside _ accepting a call from the Malone impersonator, hanging up and throwing the phone to the floor.

``After 18 years, for them to stoop to that kind of level, that's no class,'' Malone said. ``And that's something I'll never forget.''

The Jazz later issued an apology to the Lakers organization.

Malone said Friday night that he doesn't accept Utah's apology.

``It's not sincere,'' he said. ``The guy who was involved, who they put the blame on, apologized and I accept his because he's sincere. Other people there, no. I forgive, don't get me wrong, but I don't accept it because it's not real.''

Malone, who did not attend the game, was offended that the Jazz alluded to Bryant's sexual assault case in part of a joke.

Malone, who played 18 seasons with the Jazz, is on the injured list and did not return to Salt Lake City for his first game as a Utah opponent. He has vowed to be there for the Lakers' next visit March 8.

``I'll be there, and then you bring it on,'' Malone said. ``If I'm living, I'll be there. You have my word.''

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AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.