![On April 29, 2024, No. 5 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of the Denver Nuggets hits the Los Angeles Lions in the first quarter of Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Guarded by Lakers No. 1 D'Angelo Russell.](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2024/05/063_2150789119-1-620x413.jpg)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of the Denver Nuggets hits the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on April 29, 2024. Guarded by D'Angelo Russell. (via Getty Images, AFP)
NEW YORK – Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Saturday for verbally abusing game officials. Moments later, Russell yelled at the officer. The Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs. They lost 108-106 to Denver on Monday. The Lakers were unhappy with two contact plays in the final seconds of the loss that resulted in no foul whistles being blown. Defending NBA champion Nuggets won 4-1. in the best of seven Western Conference first round series. The NBA's report on the final two minutes of play said it was the right decision not to make either call. Russell averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 assists per game for the Lakers this season, and the team went 47-35, defeating New Orleans in the play-in game and qualifying for the playoffs against the Nuggets. Russell helped the Lakers win the in-season tournament last December, but the team fired coach Dervin Ham on Friday after two seasons. They reached the Western Conference finals last season, but lost to Denver. A major overhaul could be underway for the Lakers, as LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be able to opt out of their contracts before next season.