The NBA fines Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward game officials during a halftime incident.
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture toward a game official.
The league announced the penalty on Saturday following an incident during the Lakers’ 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
Smart raised his middle finger at referees during halftime of the game in Salt Lake City.
He had already received a technical foul during the game for arguing with officials.
Smart was one of three Lakers players to earn an on-court reprimand as frustration boiled over before the team secured the victory.
The former Defensive Player of the Year has a history of previous fines for dissent.
His past penalties include a $25,000 fine for swearing at a fan in 2017 and a $15,000 fine for criticising referees in 2020.
He was also fined $35,000 in 2023 for using inappropriate language toward officials.
Veteran guard Smart joined the Lakers this season on a two-year free agent contract after a brief stint with the Washington Wizards. – AFP
