NBA owner fined $100,000 for spat with ref

Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has been hit with a $100,000 fine for confronting a referee during a live game.

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has been hit with a $100,000 fine for confronting an NBA referee. (AAP)

Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for confronting a referee during a live game.

Byron Spruell, the NBA's president of league operations, announced Alexander's fine on Wednesday.

The incident occurred Tuesday in the final minute of the first quarter during the Rockets' 105-99 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Alexander got up out of his court side seat and walked toward Bill Kennedy. Alexander said something to Kennedy before turning around and heading back to his seat.

The Rockets eliminated the Thunder in five games and will face either the San Antonio Spurs or Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference semifinals.