HOUSTON — Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic told rookie guard Adou Thiero he will pay any league fine resulting from Thiero’s late-game ejection in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
The incident occurred with about one minute remaining in the Lakers’ 112-102 win at Toyota Center on Apr. 26, 2026. Thiero and Rockets guard Aaron Holiday became tangled while battling for a rebound, prompting officials to eject both players. The skirmish did not escalate, but ejections in the postseason carry an automatic financial penalty under NBA rules.
Inside the visitors’ locker room after the game, Doncic assured the 22-year-old second-round pick he would handle any fine assessed by the league, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Thiero is playing on a rookie-scale contract, while Doncic is in the first season of a four-year, $204 million extension.
Earlier in the night, Houston center Deandre Ayton was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul after his elbow struck Alperen Sengun in the third quarter. Following that dismissal, officials appeared intent on preventing further confrontations.
Doncic missed Game 4 as he continues to recover from a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring sustained on Apr. 9. Head coach JJ Redick said the All-NBA guard has increased on-court activity, including lateral movement drills, but no timetable has been set for his return.
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series 3–1, with Game 5 scheduled for Apr. 28 at Crypto.com Arena.
Source: LakersNation.com
