NBA fines Marcus Smart $35,000, Luke Kennard $25,000 after Game 4 loss
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The NBA has issued fines to Los Angeles Lakers guards Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard for post-game conduct directed at officials following Sunday’s 115-96 defeat to the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.
James Jones, the league’s Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, announced Monday that Smart was fined $35,000 for “questioning the integrity of game officials,” while Kennard received a $25,000 penalty for using inappropriate language toward the officiating crew.
The incident occurred at Toyota Center moments after the final buzzer of a contentious matchup in which the Lakers tried to complete a series sweep. Emotions had already escalated during the third quarter when center Deandre Ayton was ejected for a Flagrant 2 elbow on Alperen Sengun. Later in the fourth, Adou Thiero and Aaron Holiday were also tossed after a brief altercation while fighting for a rebound.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Smart defended Ayton and labeled the ejection “some BS,” arguing that the contact was accidental as both players were “sweating their butts off” and Ayton’s arm “slipped up.” Smart praised his teammate for maintaining composure despite the decision.
With the Lakers still leading the series 3-1, Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Source: Lakers Nation
