NEW YORK (AP) Minnesota's Latrell Sprewell was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for cursing at New York Knicks chairman James Dolan and screaming at the team's bench during the Timberwolves' 98-92 win Tuesday night.

The penalty was issued by NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson.

Sprewell, who was traded to Minnesota and scored 31 points in his return to New York, turned to Dolan and unleashed a stream of curses after his 3-pointer gave Minnesota a 94-89 lead with 1:14 left.

Referee Dan Crawford came over and warned Sprewell to stop during the ensuing timeout, but Sprewell kept it up anyway and directed his next rant at the Knicks' bench. The tirade earned him a technical foul.

Sprewell began screaming at Dolan during the first quarter, the first expletive-filled harangue making Dolan blush. Sprewell turned and shouted at Dolan several more times during the course of the game. Dolan eventually smiled at the taunts.

``All the little games he's been playing this year, I let him do the talking earlier. I'm just glad I could do the talking now,'' Sprewell said after the game.