Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard has been fined $25,000 by the league office for making an obscene gesture at a fan, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge.

The incident occurred with 1:15 left in the second quarter of a Hornets loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the Target Center.

The NBA has kept a close watch on player-to-fan interaction through the last season and intends to do so as well during this campaign in efforts to preserve a good image.

Rookie forward Josh Jackson was fined within the first week of his debut after making a gun-like gesture at an L.A. Clippers fan during a 42-point loss on the road.

Howard has gotten off to a strong start with his new team, averaging 14.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game through the first 10 games of the season.

The 13-year veteran was traded to Charlotte after only one season with his hometown Atlanta Hawks and has gotten the fresh start he was looking for with his new team.

He has scored in double digits in eight of his first 10 games with the team and has already two 20-rebounds games to his name in a Hornets uniform, grabbing 22 and 20 in games against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets, respectively.