Lakers’ Marcus Smart & Luke Kennard Fined by NBA After Loss vs Rockets

Photo Credit: Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images | Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers’ Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard have been fined by the NBA. After a recent Lakers vs Rockets game, the players got into a verbal spat with the referees. For this, the officials charged them with a sum for breaking the code of conduct.

NBA hits Lakers’ Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard with fines post Game 4 loss

Lakers’ guards Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard were fined for their behavior after the team’s loss against the Houston Rockets. Following the end of the fourth game, Lakers players were seen in a tense exchange with the referees over the removal of Adou Thiero during garbage time. Three players were removed during the game, and five were judged for technical fouls between the teams. After the game, Smart and Kennard appeared to exchange in a war of words with the referees.

Subsequently, the NBA reviewed the incident and decided to announce punishment for the players. Smart was charged $35,000 for questioning the integrity of the authorities. On the other hand, Kennard was fined $25,000 for using foul language towards the officials.

NBA communications announced their decision with a post on their X account. They wrote, “Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for questioning the integrity of game officials, and Lakers guard Luke Kennard has been fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language toward game officials, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.”

The post continued, “The incident occurred following the conclusion of the Houston Rockets’ 115-96 victory over the Lakers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on April 26 at Toyota Center.”