Lakers' Luke Kennard Sends Strong Message After NBA Punishment

Los Angeles Lakers guards Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart were both issued fines for their actions immediately after a Game 4 loss to the Houston Rockets.

Both Kennard and Smart got into a verbal altercation with referees following the Lakers’ 115-96 loss at Houston’s Toyota Center.

Kennard was fined $25,000 for “directing inappropriate language toward games officials” and Smart was fined $35,000 for “questioning the integrity of game officials,” the league announced on Monday.

Three players were ejected during the Game 4 matchup. Lakers center Deandre Ayton was issued a Flagrant 2 foul after his elbow connected with the face of Rockets big man Alperen Sengun. Los Angeles’ Adou Thiero and Houston’s Aaron Holiday were both tossed in the final moments of the fourth quarter after a seemingly-minor altercation.

Kennard was asked about his fine during media availability on Tuesday.

“I always have my teammates’ back,” Kennard said. “I’ve got to be a little bit more composed and under control. Can’t let the emotions get the best of me.”

Kennard has stepped up in a big way with both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries. The veteran sharpshooter is averaging 17.8 points per game through the first four games of the Lakers’ first-round series, shooting 52.2% from the field and 45% from behind the 3-point arc.

The Lakers will look to closeout the series with a Game 5 victory on Wednesday night.

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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 2:14 PM.