SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Steve Francis uttered a profanity during a live television interview at halftime of the Houston Rockets' loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.

Francis, the Rockets' second-leading scorer and a three-time All-Star, was furious over a non-call on a layup attempt late in the first half. Francis was down on the court for several moments after colliding with two Kings, but he still got up to finish the half.

When ESPN's Jim Gray approached him for a short interview while his teammates headed to the locker room, Francis cursed at least twice and rushed off the court. Francis apologized when he returned for the second half, saying his emotions got the best of him.

Francis leads the NBA with 17 technical fouls, getting his latest in Sacramento while arguing a different call in the second quarter - and his latest antics could result in a suspension.

On Feb. 1, Shaquille O'Neal used at least two profanities in a postgame interview with a Los Angeles television station. A day later, O'Neal was suspended without pay for one game, costing the Lakers' superstar center about $295,000 _ though the team protested the suspension, saying there was no precedent for it in league history.

Francis had 17 points and six assists in Houston's 100-95 loss to Sacramento.