The NBA announced Tuesday that it has fined Luka Dončić $50,000 for directing what the league described as an “unprofessional and inappropriate gesture” toward a referee during Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.

The incident occurred late in the third quarter of the Lakers’ 110–97 victory at Crypto.com Arena. After being knocked down by Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara, Dončić believed he had been fouled on the play. Frustrated by the lack of a whistle, the Slovenian star turned toward one of the officials and made a money gesture with both hands — a motion commonly interpreted as suggesting biased or corrupt officiating.

The play that triggered the reaction began with a Knicks fast break that followed a turnover by Dončić himself. As the action unfolded, Diawara made contact that sent the Lakers guard to the floor. When no offensive foul was called, Dončić responded with the gesture that ultimately led to the league’s disciplinary action.

According to the NBA’s official statement, the fine was issued because the gesture violated league rules regarding respect toward game officials. The league has consistently penalized players for actions that imply dishonesty or bias among referees.

Despite the controversy, Dončić continues to deliver an outstanding season. The former Real Madrid Baloncesto star is averaging 32.5 points per game and remains one of the league’s most dominant offensive players. February also marked one year since he began wearing the Lakers jersey after his blockbuster move to Los Angeles.

While the fine will hardly dent the superstar’s status in the league, the moment serves as another reminder of the NBA’s strict stance when it comes to protecting the integrity of its officiating crews.

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