Mavericks star Luka Doncic has been hit with a $35K fine for “directing an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture” toward a referee during the closing seconds of the team’s loss to Golden State on Wednesday, the NBA announced today in a press release (Twitter link).
Doncic was seen rubbing his fingers together in an apparent money signal aimed at the officiating crew (Twitter video link).
The incident occurred at the conclusion of a game that the Mavericks protested due to a controversial call that occurred in the third quarter. The Warriors, who essentially got a free basket on the play in question, ended up winning the game by two points.
While that third quarter call was the big story after the game, it’s unclear whether Doncic’s gesture was referencing that play or was a culmination of his frustration with the officiating all night. Seconds earlier, he missed a layup attempt and didn’t get the foul call he seemed to be seeking (Twitter video link).
It comes as no surprise that Doncic was fined for his actions, though it’s interesting that he faces a more significant penalty than the one given to Fred VanVleet, who lambasted game officials and singled out one referee in particular (Ben Taylor) during a postgame press conference. VanVleet was fined $30K for his comments.
Luka shoots 10 foul shots while Curry shot 0 and he says its unfair. SMH
He also should’ve been T’d up … therefore earning a suspension since he’s at the limit.
So the Mavs get a break there.
Luka has some growing up to do, that’s for sure!
Hey, even a broken 24-hour clock is right once a day. And he was already right twice that I’ve seen! Christmas miracle xD
Nah, kidding man. Keep doing your thing.
Damn… All this time I thought a broken clock was right TWICE a day.
He’s not the only one.
Curry shoots almost exclusively 3’s and doesn’t drive the lane. Harder to get fouled if you aren’t near the basket.
10 of his shots were not from 3 pt. line. He does drive and is held all the time without fouls called.
How can the NBA fairly control their referees? There is so many motions emotions involved, so much money, room, time & opportunities for referees to control games. Let’s hope they are all more honest than this dishonest time! Go Celtics!
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Can’t. It’s like MLB umpires. The union is strong.
Hire former players
seems as if this many people and instances of the refs being complained about should reflect on how poorly the refs are officiating.
I’m a Mavs fan but I’m so sick and tired of watching Luka complain to the refs all game long.
Perhaps VanVleet’s fine was less because the league watched the game and found it hard to dispute anything he said…
A $35K fine for that?? That’s the weakest fine ever. He made a gesture with his hand, whoop-dee-doo.
The inference I would take from what Luka did would be that he was questioning the referee’s ethics more than name calling, and yes, Curry shoots few free throws because he gets very little contact. Very simple.
I’m not on Luka’s side here, that was dumb and deserved a fine, but start fining these refs for their trash officiating, this season has looked so fixed, blatant fouls not called at perfect times and horrendous fake fouls called at perfect times happens 286682738483737393 times a week
Go Luka the officiating STINKS
FredVan Vleet more power to you as well. The NBA needs to look at the officiating. It is not being done fairly or more.
Foul calls where there should not have been one. Top players are allowed to initiate contact with another player on other team and that player gets the foul if say Curry created the contact and plowed into Doncic so Doncic gets foul.
This is just an example. I see it a lot when I watch my team that the officials call everything against my team and let the other team do whatever they want and not get fouls when they should have.
At point sick of the major improper officiating in the NBA
Luka was right, a reward would have been much more appropriate for him than a fine, but then again as he ain’t American, rules are stacked up against him!
cmon Mr adams. When ur D forgets where the other teams basket is and is not there to defend, THATS when it’s a free basket. Refs had nothing to do with Mavs’ stupidity. They had heads up their butts.
NBA officiating rather resembles WWE wrestling, beholden to execute the company script.