The NBA is fining Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers guard, $50,000 for making a hand gesture towards officials that insinuated they were being paid off
The NBA is fining Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers guard, $50,000 for making “an inappropriate and unprofessional” hand gesture toward an official during the Lakers’ 110-97 win over the New York Knicks, the NBA announced today.
With 4:35 left on the clock in the third quarter, Dončić attempted to take a charge on Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara, but after getting knocked down, the refs called a blocking foul on Dončić.
Instead of getting up, Dončić lied on the ground and, while looking at the nearby official Tre Maddox, made a hand motion where he rubbed his fingers together to make a money gesture, implying the refs were being paid off.
The NBA has fined Luka Doncic $50,000 for his “money gesture” towards the referee.
(h/t @TomerAzarly)pic.twitter.com/9rffpFk9p0
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 10, 2026
Dončić has a reputation of arguing with referees, as well as multiple former players and media personalities — such as former Laker Lou Williams, long-time Miami Heat player Udonis Haslem and ESPN’s Max Kellerman — have called out Dončić for this behavior. Furthermore, Dončić has 15 technical fouls so far this season, and if he gets one more, he will serve a one-game suspension.
“Stop complaining to the refs. You’re not going to beg your way to a title. You’re not going to cry your way to a championship,” Haslem said, “As great as he is, he takes away from his own game when he spends so much energy complaining to officials.”
Hand gestures aside, Dončić was the leading scorer for the Lakers in their win, as he had shot 11-25 from the field with 35 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes of play.
The Lakers’ next game is tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
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