Luka Doncic fined $50,000 by the league for inappropriate gesture.

2026-03-11 00:47

The NBA officially announced today that Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has been fined $50,000 for making an "inappropriate and unprofessional" gesture toward a referee during a game against the New York Knicks.

The controversial incident occurred in the third quarter of the Lakers' 110-97 victory over the Knicks on Sunday. With 4 minutes and 35 seconds remaining in the game, Doncic attempted to draw a charging foul, but the referee ultimately called a blocking foul on Doncic.

A visibly frustrated Doncic rubbed his fingers together at the referee while he was on the ground, a gesture widely interpreted in basketball as an indication that the referee had accepted bribes to make biased calls. NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations James Jones quickly followed up and announced the penalty.

This $50,000 fine is not the biggest crisis facing the Lakers right now. So far this season, Doncic has accumulated a whopping 15 technical fouls. According to league rules, if he receives another technical foul, he will automatically face a one-game suspension.

Despite a number of technical fouls recently, Doncic's dominance on the court remains impeccable. In the victory over the Knicks, he delivered a well-rounded performance with 35 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

Next, the Lakers will face a crucial game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. For Doncic, who is on the verge of suspension, the key to winning this tough game will be how to maintain his offensive output while controlling his fiery temper and avoiding another technical foul.

Image source: Internet