The NBA has fined Luka Dončić $50,000 for an “inappropriate and unprofessional gesture” he made toward an official during Sunday’s 110-97 win over the New York Knicks.
Dončić attempted to take a charge on Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara in the third quarter. After the Lakers star was knocked to the ground and called for a blocking foul, he looked at the nearby official and rubbed his fingers together as he was on the floor, seemingly indicated the referee was paid off.
Dončić has had regular run-ins with officials this season. As of Tuesday, he has picked up 15 technical fouls, one away from an automatic one-game suspension.
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The Lakers have 18 games remaining in the regular season and sit fifth in the Western Conference at 39-25. Under the NBA’s 65-game rule, players who miss 18 games will no longer be eligible for season-ending awards.