Lakers’ Luke Kennard Reacts to NBA Punishment Before Game 5
The Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 4 to the Houston Rockets 115-96, extending the series, amid multiple on-court incidents and postgame NBA fines for players Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. Kennard, fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language at officials, defended his actions, emphasizing loyalty to teammates while acknowledging he needs to stay more composed. Ahead of Game 5, the Lakers look to regroup, with Kennard and others needing stronger performances to advance. A win would set up a second-round series against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
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By Matthew CoudenContributing WriterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.The Los Angeles Lakers were on the verge of eliminating the Houston Rockets in Game 4, but suffered a disappointing 115-96 loss on the road, extending the series.And the game featured plenty of big calls and punishments against the visitors. That included Deandre Ayton's ejection due to a flagrant foul after his elbow hit the Rockets' Alperen Sengun, and two of the Lakers' players receiving punishments from the NBA after the game.Those players were Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, who had a heated confrontation with referees on the court after the game had ended.
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