Lakers' Marcus Smart And Luke Kennard Receives NBA Punishment on Monday
In Sunday's Game 4 against the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers were unable to complete the task. In the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, the Lakers nearly swept the Rockets last night. However, Houston was resilient and had a 115-96 win to extend the series to five games.
Lakers' LeBron James struggled on the floor and only had 10 points and nine assists on 22.2% shooting. The team is still without its two best players, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Both players remain on the sidelines with injuries. Their timeline to return to the lineup remains uncertain.
Following their loss, the Lakers received a surprising update from the league.
Lakers Players Received Punishment From the NBA
On Monday, the NBA announced that Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard have been fined. Smart was fined $35,000 for "questioning the integrity of game officials." Kennard, meanwhile, was fined $25,000 for "directing inappropriate language toward game officials."
After the game, Smart had a few things to say to the Rockets players. He also went after NBA referee James Williams. His teammates had to drag him away from the situation. However, that didn't save him from getting a fine from the league.
Marcus Smart was letting official James Williams HEAR IT postgame pic.twitter.com/F1TQsWtfsu
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) April 27, 2026
During his postgame interview, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year was asked about what happened in his confrontation. However, Smart kept it short and only had a two-word response.
"Very hilarious," he said.
Kennard yelled something inappropriate towards the officials after the contest. Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt had to hold him back, but he, too, wasn't safe from the league's punishment.
This is where Luke Kennard picked up his fine after the game last night
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) April 28, 2026
He told the ref "you f*cking suck" and had to be held back by Jarred Vanderbilt
(Via: @TT11986) pic.twitter.com/wMG5HRTv9L
The Lakers did not hold back in commenting about how Game 4 was officiated. Starting center Deandre Ayton was ejected from the game after he was given a flagrant 2 foul on Alperen Sengun. Ayton tried to contest Sengun's shot, but his left forearm hit Sengun's face.
Ayton and the Lakers insisted that the move was unintentional. Even Sengun called the decision to remove the opposing big man "soft."
Additionally, Lakers rookie guard Adou Thiero was ejected by Williams after he got into a verbal exchange with Aaron Holiday. Both guards were surprised after they were both taken out of the contest. LeBron James did not like that Thiero was ejected and spoke about it in front of reporters.
"I'm more [expletive] off about them kicking Adou out," LeBron said. "That was uncalled for and made no sense. I think that's the 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."
Fortunately for Thiero, ESPN's Dave McMenamin confirmed that Luka Doncic has covered the rookie's fine for being ejected.
Related: Lakers Get Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic Updates Before Game 5
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 7:28 PM.