DETROIT - Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson apologized Friday for missing practice on the morning of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.

"First of all, I have no excuses," Iverson said after Friday's shootaround. "I apologize to my teammates, first and foremost, the coaching staff, the organization and definitely our fans.

"It's something that shouldn't have happened and it won't happen again."

Pistons coach Mike Curry has already said Iverson will face a fine from the team, and he won't start Friday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks.

"I'm surprised when guys are late. I'm surprised when they don't show," Curry told the Detroit Free-Press. "It's a pretty hefty fine to be late, or to miss. And once again, it's accountability for yourself and your teammates."

Iverson, 33, was one of several Pistons players who complained when Curry, the team's first-year coach, scheduled the morning practice following Detroit's 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

But Iverson was the only player who didn't show up for the hour-long conditioning session.

"It was a personal matter, but I just handled it the wrong way," Iverson said. "I didn't call to let them know what was going on."

A four-time NBA scoring champion and eight-time All-Star, Iverson made headlines in May 2002 as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, when he skipped practice while the team was in the postseason.