Basketball: Swearing costly for NBA's Sprewell

Minnesota's Latrell Sprewell has been fined US$25,000 ($38,600) by the National Basketball Association for cursing at New York Knicks chairman James Dolan and screaming at the team's bench during the Timberwolves' 98-92 win on Thursday.

Sprewell, who was traded to Minnesota and scored 31 points in his return to New York, turned to Dolan and unleashed a stream of abuse after his three-pointer gave Minnesota a 94-89 lead.

Referee Dan Crawford warned Sprewell to stop, but Sprewell kept it up, directing his next rant at the Knicks' bench. The tirade earned him a technical foul.

"All I know is, something happened in our house last night that I hope won't happen again," said new Knicks team president Isiah Thomas.