Luka Doncic fined $50k for 'inappropriate' gesture towards referee

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka DoncicKirby Lee - Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has been fined $50,000 (£37,200) for an "inappropriate and unprofessional" gesture toward a referee in Sunday's win over the New York Knicks, the NBA said Tuesday.

Doncic thought Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara should have been assessed an offensive charge foul in the third quarter. Instead, the Slovenian star, who was knocked to the court on the play, was whistled for a blocking foul.

Doncic was sprawled on his back when he looked at the closest game official and rubbed his fingers together, seemingly indicating the referee was paid off.

Doncic has had plenty of run-ins with officials this season. As of Tuesday, he had picked up 15 technical fouls, one away from an automatic one-game suspension.

With 18 games left in the regular season, the Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference.

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