FILE – Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton, right, speaks to Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half of the team’s preseason NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
NEW YORK — Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton has been fined $15,000 for public criticism of the officiating.
NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe announced the fine on Wednesday.
It stems from comments Walton made following the Lakers’ 143-142 overtime loss to the Spurs on Monday. The officials gave 38 free throws to San Antonio and just 26 to Los Angeles, even though the Lakers outscored the Spurs 74-50 in the paint.
Walton said the officials didn’t give the Lakers calls because they’re a young team.
He had gotten a technical foul in the second quarter of the game for protesting a no-call on contact with LeBron James.