NBA fines Nuggets' Hamilton $25,000

DENVER (AP) Second-year forward Jordan Hamilton of the Denver Nuggets was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Wednesday because of a vulgar exchange with a fan during the team's 112-100 Christmas Day loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.

Hamilton exchanged words with the fan near courtside after returning to the court from chasing a ball that went out of bounds with about 3:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. The exchange was caught by television cameras.

Hamilton scored a season-high 16 points against the Clippers. He's averaging 6.8 points and 12.4 minutes of play per game.

A first-round draft pick of the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, Hamilton was acquired by Denver as part of a three-team draft-day deal that also involved Portland.

Updated December 26, 2012