Luka Dončić Fined $50,000 for Inappropriate Gesture Toward Ref

The Lakers star has a history of on-court antics and technical fouls.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Luka Dončić, one of the NBA's biggest stars, was fined $50,000 by the league for making an "inappropriate and unprofessional gesture" toward a game official during the Lakers' 110-97 win over the Knicks. Dončić, who has picked up 15 technical fouls this season, has a reputation for frequently complaining to referees during games.

Why it matters

Dončić's repeated outbursts and disrespectful behavior toward officials have drawn criticism from media pundits who say his constant whining and attempts to draw fouls are "unwatchable" and detrimental to the game. The fine is the latest incident in Dončić's history of on-court antics, which could lead to a suspension if he picks up one more technical foul.

The details

In Sunday's game, Dončić was seen making what appeared to be a "money" gesture after being called for a foul while trying to draw a charge. The NBA deemed the gesture "inappropriate and unprofessional" and issued the hefty $50,000 fine. This is not the first time Dončić has been penalized for a similar gesture, as he was caught making a similar money sign toward officials back in 2023 while still playing for the Mavericks.

  • Dončić was fined on March 10, 2026 for the incident that occurred during the Lakers' March 9, 2026 game against the Knicks.
  • Dončić previously made a similar money gesture toward officials in 2023 while playing for the Mavericks.

The players

Luka Dončić

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who has a reputation for frequently complaining to referees and picking up technical fouls.

Zach Lowe

A media pundit who has criticized Dončić's on-court antics and constant whining toward officials.

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What they’re saying

“The whining is back to peak Dallas levels. It's every f---ing play. Just play, man. Not everything is a foul... Are you playing to draw a foul, or are you playing basketball? Which one are you doing? Are you playing one-on-one with the refs? Or are you playing a game? It's every single possession now. It's completely out of control. It's back to Dallas levels. It's unwatchable.”

— Zach Lowe, Media Pundit (Zach Lowe Show)

What’s next

If Dončić picks up one more technical foul, he will be suspended for one game.

The takeaway

Luka Dončić's repeated on-court antics and disrespectful behavior toward officials have drawn heavy criticism, and the latest $50,000 fine is the latest example of the NBA cracking down on his unprofessional conduct. Dončić's constant complaining and attempts to draw fouls are seen as detrimental to the game, and further incidents could lead to a suspension, which would be a significant blow to the Lakers' playoff hopes.