Lakers coach Luke Walton was fined $15,000 for public criticism of the officiating during Monday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs, the NBA announced Wednesday.
Walton's comments were made to the media following the Lakers' 143-142 overtime loss to the Spurs on Oct. 22 at Staples Center.
He was infuriated by the officiating which gave 38 free throws to the Spurs and just 26 to Los Angeles, even though the Lakers outscored San Antonio 74-50 in the paint. Walton got a technical foul in the second quarter for protesting a no-call on contact with LeBron James, but his postgame complaints were multifold.
JaVale McGee was fouled out after scoring 16 points, and Ivica Zubac was called for five fouls in less than five minutes. Josh Hart, an aggressive driver to the hoop, wasn't given a free throw in nearly 39 minutes of action.
"I know they're young, I get that," an animated Walton said. "But if we're going to play a certain way, let's not reward people for flopping 30 feet from the hole on plays that have nothing to do with that possession ... and then not reward players that are physically going to the basket and getting hit. It's not right."
The Lakers (0-3) play against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday.
NBC4's Whitney Irick contributed to this report.
