Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard Fined By NBA

The Lakers’ backcourt wracked up a pair of fines for their comments to the referees after Game 4, the league announced (via Twitter).

Marcus Smart has been fined $35K for “questioning the integrity of game officials,” while Luke Kennard was fined $25K for “directing inappropriate language towards game officials,” the NBA said, adding that the offending incidents took place after Game 4 concluded.

Smart, surrounded by both Lakers and Rockets players after the final whistle sounded, was seen shouting and pointing at referee James Williams, who ejected both Deandre Ayton and Adou Thiero during the second half of the game. Kennard was on the outskirts of the scrum at the time, talking to someone off-screen.

The Lakers seemed particularly displeased with the ejection of Thiero.

“I’m more (upset) about them kicking Adou out. That was uncalled for and it made no sense,” LeBron James said after the game (Twitter video link). “Think that’s his first time he’s ever been thrown out of a game in his life. I don’t think that was warranted. Give him two technicals, the kid just got in the game, that was ridiculous.”