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Nba Fines Lakers Guards Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard For Interaction With Referees After Game 4 Loss, Adou Thiero Ejection

Los Angeles Lakers guards Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard were fined by the NBA after a heated interaction with the referees in Game 4 of the playoff series against the Houston Rockets, the league announced Monday.

Smart was fined $35,000 for “questioning the integrity of the game officials.” Kennard was fined $25,000 for “directing inappropriate language” at the referees. Per the league, both players committed the infractions after Sunday’s 115-96 loss.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/k8LTZ9R8M6
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 28, 2026

Kennard and Smart’s frustration appeared to stem from the ejections of Lakers forward Adou Thiero and Rockets guard Aaron Holiday, who were sent off in the final minute of the game after a slight scuffle under the net. Smart could be seen verbally laying into the officials after the call.

Adou Thiero and Aaron Holiday were ejected late in Sunday's game.pic.twitter.com/fqJPrlbli6
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 27, 2026

It’s unclear whether Smart or Kennard targeted a specific referee when responding to the officiating. However, the first official on Sunday was James Williams, whom Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker called out by name earlier last week. Booker was also fined $35,000 for his comments.

Thiero and Holiday weren’t the only ejections in the chippy game on Sunday: Lakers center Deandre Ayton was sent off in the third quarter for a poorly placed elbow, which officials upgraded to a Flagrant 2 upon review.

Sunday’s win opened the door for the Rockets, who came into the game down 3-0 in the series but picked up a big victory over the sluggish Lakers. After avoiding the sweep, the Rockets will return to L.A. for Game 5 on Wednesday.

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Nba Fines Lakers Guards Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard For Interaction With Referees After Game 4 Loss, Adou Thiero Ejection

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