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Andrea Pavan remains hopeful about returning to golf after a serious fall.
Luke Kennard of the Los Angeles Lakers was fined $25,000 for inappropriate language directed at referees during a heated Game 4 against the Houston Rockets. He emphasized the need for composure and support for his teammates following the incident.
Mar 21, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) reacts with center Jaxson Hayes (11) guard Austin Reaves (15) and forward LeBron James (23) after hitting a game winning basket at the buzzer against the Orlando Magic in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images ©Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
It was not the loss in Game 4 that troubled the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the officiating that led to multiple ejections and league-wide discipline. A total of five players across both teams were assessed technical fouls during the game as physicality escalated. But 2 Purple and Gold stars were ejected, and their teammates took a stand after the final buzzer. Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard were fined a combined $60,000 for their protest, and the latter spoke about the incident.
Luke Kennard was fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language towards the referees during a game.
The incident involved escalating physicality and technical fouls, resulting in the ejection of two Lakers players during Game 4.
Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard were fined a combined total of $60,000, with Smart receiving $35,000 and Kennard $25,000.
Luke Kennard stated that he needs to be more composed and cannot let emotions get the best of him, while expressing support for his teammates.
Andrea Pavan remains hopeful about returning to golf after a serious fall.
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āIāll always have my teammatesā backs,ā said Kennard after practice on Tuesday. āNot much other to say than that. Iāve got to be a little bit more composed and under control, canāt let the emotions get the best of me. But no other comment on that.ā
Luke Kennard was fined $25,000 for his verbal interaction with the crew, ādirecting inappropriate language towards the refereesā. Marcus Smart was fined $35,000 for āquestioning the integrity of game officialsā. This started after the Lakersā Game 4 loss to the Houston Rockets, where Smart walked toward several Lakers teammates and referee James Williams. He got into an animated back-and-forth with officials, and LeBron James pulled him away. But Luke Kennard entered and offered his piece of mind as the Lakers thought they were on the receiving end of unjust calls.
One of the most controversial calls was the flagrant two foul that was assessed to Deandre Ayton in the third quarter. The Lakers center inadvertently caught Alperen Sengun on the head. But even the Rocketsā star called it soft, putting more pressure on the official Williams. Then, at the end, with 1:11 left till the final whistle, Williams gave double technical fouls and ejected Lakers forward Adou Thiero and Rockets guard Aaron Holiday after both players exchanged words, getting tangled up underneath the basket.
It was Thieroās first postseason appearance, during which he scored his first basket with an emphatic alley-oop dunk over Dorian Finney-Smith. His ejection even led to LeBron James being vocal about the refereeās mistake. Fortunately, there are no suspensions for any Lakers players. They will all suit up in Purple and Gold to put the series to bed at Crypto.com Arena. There is positive news for the team ahead of Game 5.
It was the start of April when AR suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Itās been nearly four weeks, and the 27-year-old has ramped up his recovery for an early return on the court. ESPNās senior insider Shams Charania provided the latest update: āMultiple sources are telling me right now that Austin Reaves and the Lakers are optimistic that heāll make his return to the lineup on Wednesday night in game five against the Houston Rockets.ā
Even the Lakersā star expressed similar enthusiasm for his return. āI feel good,ā Reaves told reporters Tuesday. āI want to get back out there as fast as I can. But like I said, I feel good and trending in the right direction and canāt wait to wake up tomorrow and attack another day.ā Now add to this that the Rocketsā status on Kevin Durant remains uncertain.
courtside during Game 4 as Houston kept the series alive, but his availability for Game 5 remains in doubt. Charania also reported that Durant is still unlikely to play due to lingering issues from a bone bruise and ankle sprain.
The post Lakers Star Breaks Silence After $25,000 Fine, Doubles Down on His Actions: āCanāt Let Emotions Get the Best of Meā appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.