Heading into Game 5 against the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers learned that two of their players have been hit with fines from the NBA.
According to an official statement from the league, Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for “questioning the integrity of game officials.”
Smart’s comments came after the Lakers fell short against the Rockets for the first time during the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Despite the narratives going around prior to the start of the postseason, Smart and the Lakers have dominated the Rockets, gaining a 3-0 cushion before that first loss.
Amid the Game 4 defeat, the Lakers saw two of their players get ejected for separate incidents. Smart felt that the Ayton situation was over-the-top.
âWe all understood it was some BS,â Smart told reporters. âWeâre proud of the way he handled it. That speaks volumes about who he is and his progression.â
Although members from the other side of the arena made statements that backed Smart’s belief, the league still enforced its rules on the veteran guard. For Smart, an incoming fine is nothing new.
Marcus Smart’s History Of NBA Fines
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 20: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during play against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome on December 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
During Smart’s run with the Boston Celtics, he embraced an enforcer persona. As much as that earned him plenty of money over time, it also came at a hefty cost, considering all of the fines he racked up.
In 2016, Smart was fined twice. He picked up a $15,000 fine for an obscene gesture towards a referee. One month later, he got an anti-flopping violation for $5,000.
One year later, Smart had another obscene gesture generate a $25,000 fine. Then in 2018, Smart earned his first fine for criticizing a referee, which would cost $15,000.
During the 2018-2019 NBA season, Smart had three fines throughout the year. The first was $25,000 for an on-court altercation with JR Smith. The second was for using inappropriate language toward an official, which was $35,000. The third and final one that year was for shoving Joel Embiid. Smart was out $50,000 for that one.
Another critical comment aimed at officiating in November 2019 was $15,000 for Smart. He confronted game officials and “verbally abused” them in March 2020, which would cost $35,000.
When the NBA returned from the COVID hiatus in August 2020, Smart had a $15,000 fine for “disciplinary action.” He picked up a $5,000 flopping violation on September 2, 2020.
Smart’s final two fines with the Celtics occurred in 2023. He was hit with a $35,000 fine for directing inappropriate language toward a game official in January 2023. In March of the same year, Smart was out $25,000 for initiating an on-court altercation with Trae Young.
Monday’s fine was just the second for Smart since he joined the Lakers. In December, Smart made an “obscene gesture” at an official, which was $35,000. He added $35,000 more this week.
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