After voicing their displeasure with a late-game ejection, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard have been punished by the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers wings were each fined $35,000 and $25,000, respectively, on Monday, the league announced. Smart was fined for questioning the integrity of game officials, while Kennard was fined for directing inappropriate language toward game officials.
The incidents occurred following the conclusion of the Lakers' 115-96 Game 4 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
Smart's and Kennard's ire appeared to stem from the ejection of teammate Adou Thiero in the fourth quarter. The Lakers' rookie was seen tussling with Aaron Holiday under the basket late in the fourth quarter, when Thiero appeared to push the Rockets guard.
Lead official James Williams intervened swiftly and handed both players two technicals each and tossed them from the game.
After the final buzzer rang, Smart was seen directing comments toward Williams while being restrained by his teammates.
LeBron James weighed in on the incident, telling reporters that he was "pissed off" about (the officials) kicking Adou out.
The Lakers star added that it was "uncalled for and made no sense ... that was ridiculous."
