Luka Dončić Fined $50K for Disrespectful Gesture Toward Ref

The Lakers star's history of on-court antics has drawn criticism from media pundits.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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NBA superstar Luka Dončić 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 a league-high 15 technical fouls this season, was seen making what appeared to be a "money" hand gesture after being called for a foul while trying to draw a charge. This is not the first time Dončić has been penalized for his frequent complaining and disrespectful behavior toward referees.

Why it matters

Dončić's reputation for on-court antics and disrespect toward officials has drawn criticism from media pundits who feel his constant whining and attempts to draw fouls are hurting his team and the game itself. The latest incident and hefty fine highlight the ongoing challenges the NBA faces in curbing unsportsmanlike conduct from its biggest stars.

The details

During Sunday's game, Dončić was knocked to the floor while trying to draw a charge, but was instead called for a foul. He then made what appeared to be a "money" hand gesture, which the NBA deemed an "inappropriate and unprofessional" act toward the official. This is not the first time Dončić has been penalized for such behavior - back in 2023 while still with the Mavericks, he made a similar gesture that also resulted in a fine.

  • Dončić was fined $50,000 by the NBA on March 10, 2026 for the incident.
  • In 2023, Dončić made a similar disrespectful gesture toward officials while with the Mavericks.

The players

Luka Dončić

A superstar NBA player currently with the Los Angeles Lakers, known for his elite scoring ability as well as his frequent complaining and disrespectful behavior toward game 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 history of disrespectful behavior and constant complaining toward officials has become a growing concern, with media pundits criticizing his antics as detrimental to the game. The latest $50,000 fine highlights the NBA's efforts to curb such unsportsmanlike conduct from its biggest stars, even if it means penalizing one of the league's most talented players.