( CNN ) -- Donald Sterling -- the longtime owner of the Los Angeles Clippers -- is under investigation by the NBA for `` offensive and disturbing '' remarks he allegedly made about African-Americans . Sterling , who has owned the franchise for nearly three decades , made the comments in a 10-minute argument he had with girlfriend V. Stiviano on April 9 , according to TMZ , which posted the audio late Friday . If authentic , the remarks seem to reflect Sterling 's embarrassment and frustration with Stiviano over her associating with African-Americans at Clippers games and for posting such pictures on her Instagram account . Clippers president Andy Roeser on Saturday questioned the recording and suggested a woman -- whom he does n't mention by name -- was `` getting even '' with Sterling over a lawsuit . Reaction : 'Disturbing and offensive ' NBA commissioner Adam Silver said at a press conference in Memphis on Saturday night that the league 's investigation will seek to determine whether the tape is authentic and to figure out the context in which these `` offensive and disturbing '' comments were made . Silver cautioned that Sterling must be afforded due process , so he would not speculate on any possible punishment , if any -- but said that the investigation will move `` extraordinarily quickly . '' Speaking about the recording , Roeser said , `` we do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered . We do know that the woman on the tape -- who we believe released it to TMZ -- is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $ 1.8 million , who told Mr. Sterling that she would `` get even . '' TMZ does not say who made the recording or how the celebrity-centric website obtained it . Attempts to reach Stiviano on Saturday were unsuccessful . She is part African-American , according to the recording . The man alleged to be Sterling takes particular exception to a photo she posted to Instagram with NBA icon Earvin `` Magic '' Johnson . `` In your lousy f**ing Instagrams , you do n't have to have yourself with -- walking with black people , '' the man says . `` If it 's white people , it 's OK ? '' she responds . `` If it was Larry Bird , would it make a difference ? '' Bird , the longtime Boston Celtics star , was Johnson 's NBA rival . `` I 've known [ Magic ] well and he should be admired ... . I 'm just saying that it 's too bad you ca n't admire him privately , '' the man on the recording says . `` Admire him , bring him here , feed him , f**k him , but do n't put [ Magic ] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me . And do n't bring him to my games . '' Johnson responded Saturday afternoon via his verified Twitter account . `` I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African Americans '' read a tweet from @ MagicJohnson . `` I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner , '' read another . Roeser said that Sterling is upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson . `` [ Sterling ] has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him -- both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved . '' Sterling is `` emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with , nor does it reflect his views , beliefs or feelings , '' Roeser said . `` I do n't know if I 'm surprised or not , '' Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said at the team 's practice Saturday , adding that he `` obviously '' did n't like the comments . Rivers , who is in his first year coaching the team , told reporters that he did n't want the controversy to distract from the playoffs . He said he would be the sole person speaking on behalf of the team . The players union 's response will be led by NBA player-turned-mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson . `` The reported comments made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling are reprehensible and unacceptable , '' he said in a statement . Former players universally denounced the recorded comments . `` Should this guy continue to be an owner ? '' asked Shaquille O'Neal , who also called the comments `` repugnant . '' `` We can not have an NBA owner discriminating against the league , '' said Charles Barkley . `` We 're a black league . '' Both discussed the issue during the Atlanta Hawks-Indiana Pacers halftime program on TNT , which like CNN , is a division of Time Warner . In an interesting wrinkle , Sterling is set to be given a lifetime achievement award at an event next month to mark the 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles NAACP . The Clippers are set to play the Golden State Warriors in Oakland on Sunday in the fourth game in their best-of-seven playoff series . Silver said Sterling has agreed to not attend . Golden State head coach Mark Jackson said that he was `` disappointed in the comments made . I think there 's no place in society for those feelings . ''
NEW : NBA commissioner says ` ` we will move extraordinarily quickly '' TMZ posts audio allegedly of Clippers president Donald Sterling arguing with his wife . Clippers announcer is recording ; ' a woman was ` ` getting even '' Lakers coach says he is dismayed by comments ; ' ' n't attend Sunday 's game .