Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures on the sideline in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 28, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. AFP
NEW YORK, United States — Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton has been fined $15,000 (14,280 euros) for verbally abusing a game official and failing to leave the court promptly when he was tossed from Monday’s loss to the Sacramento Kings.
The NBA announced the fine on Wednesday, two days after Walton was slapped with a double technical foul in the first quarter of the 116-92 defeat in Sacramento.
Seven technical fouls called in the game — six of them against the Lakers.
With 4:14 remaining in the first quarter, the ill-feeling spawned by the first Kings-Lakers meeting of the season re-emerged as Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins grabbed the arms of Lakers forward Julius Randle, causing him to fall.
Walton, angry that no foul was called, strode to the center of the court and berated the officials as Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson tried to hold him back.
Immediately after the game, Walton was unrepentant.
“I just felt like I needed to stand up for my guys,” Walton said on Monday night. “What happened on the floor wasn’t right. My only concern is our guys in the locker room and our team.
“If I feel like something’s not right, I’m going to stand up for our guys.” CBB