Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson was contrite and apologetic in talking about flashing a choke sign at LeBron James after a missed free throw. James’ response, meanwhile, was flatly dismissive.

Cameras picked up Stephenson grasping his neck on the Pacers bench when James missed the shot after a technical foul late in the third quarter of the Pacers’ 94-75 Game 3 win Thursday night. James also missed two clutch free throws as well in the Heat’s Game 2 loss earlier this week.

“I was wrong and disrespectful to my teammates, the Miami Heat and their organization,” Stephenson told NBA.com on Saturday. “I’m sorry that I did that. It was very disrespectful.

“(I) try to talk to other players, but in a good way. Get them off their game a little bit but not being disrespectful. I just got out of hand one time, and I’ll never do it again.”

via Brian Windhorst of ESPN