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L.A. Lakers Coach Luke Walton Fined $15K After Criticizing Officials During Losing Game to the Spurs

Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures to his players during their preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 10, 2018 ,in Las Vegas. (Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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.

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