NBA: Barnes' fine for language toward fan, not Suns owner

NEW YORK (AP) An NBA spokesman says Matt Barnes' $25,000 fine was for inappropriate language directed toward a fan, not Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, as the Clippers forward alleged.

Barnes was penalized Tuesday by the league for an incident it says occurred with 4:28 remaining in the second quarter of the Clippers' 120-100 victory in Phoenix on Sunday.

He later wrote on Twitter that he was talking to Sarver, whom he said was sitting on the baseline and had cursed at him first.

Barnes was also fined $25,000 in December for kicking a water bottle into the stands and directing profane language at fans.