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NBA Fines Lakers’ Marcus Smart $35,000 and Luke Kennard $25,000 Over Postgame Clash With Officials

The penalties highlight rising scrutiny of playoff officiating heading into Game 5.

Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) brings the ball up the court against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series at Toyota Center in Houston, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Houston Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka gets his team off the court after an altercation post Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center in Houston on Friday, April 24, 2026. Houston Rockets won the game 115-96, but still trail the Lakers 3-1 in the series.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) jump at center court during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series at Toyota Center in Houston, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) smiles on the bench during the final seconds of Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center in Houston on Friday, April 24, 2026. Houston Rockets won the game 115-96, but still trail the Lakers 3-1 in the series.

Overview

  • The league, in a Monday announcement by executive vice president James Jones shared via NBA Communications, fined Smart $35,000 and Kennard $25,000.
  • The discipline followed the Lakers’ 115-96 Game 4 loss on Sunday in Houston, where video showed Smart confronting head referee James Williams and Kennard using an expletive at an official.
  • Smart was cited for questioning officials’ integrity, and Kennard was cited for inappropriate language, with the incidents occurring on the court after the final buzzer at Toyota Center.
  • A third‑quarter Flagrant 2 on Deandre Ayton for elbowing Alperen Şengün sparked the frustration, and late ejections of Adou Thiero and Aaron Holiday kept tensions high.
  • Kennard said Tuesday he will always back his teammates but needs more composure, while the $60,000 in fines adds to the officiating spotlight as the series returns to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday.