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The National Basketball Association (NBA) has fined Los Angeles Lakers guards Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard after both players publicly criticised officials following their playoff defeat to the Houston Rockets.
The league announced on Monday that Smart was fined $35,000 for comments questioning the integrity of the game officials after he complained to referee James Williams about what he described as “unnecessary ejections” during the match.
Kennard was also sanctioned, receiving a $25,000 fine for what the NBA described as inappropriate language directed at referees.
Both incidents occurred immediately after Houston’s 115-96 win on Sunday, a result that reduced the Rockets’ deficit to 3-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.
The Lakers can seal progression to the second round with a win in Wednesday’s home game.
Houston, meanwhile, must win to stay alive and force a sixth game in Houston on Friday, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Sunday in Los Angeles if needed.
