"League is in shambles" - Fans react hilariously after NBA fines Luka Doncic $35k for taunting refrees

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic landed himself in hot water with the NBA this week when he made a money gesture with his hand toward referees. The situation occurred late in the Mavericks' 127-125 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

After what he believed to be an incorrect call, Doncic gestured towards the officials, rubbing his fingers together in the universal symbol for money. His actions landed him a $35,000 fine from the NBA, and it also drew hilarious reactions from fans.

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks fighting for a spot in the Western Conference

The Dallas Mavericks (36-37), who are experiencing a two-game losing skid, are eighth in the tight Western Conference. While Dallas would be in the play-in tournament if the season ended today, the team has fallen out of the top six. The top six teams slot into the playoffs, while teams from seventh to 10th place must compete in the play-in tournament for the final two playoff berths.

The sixth-place Golden State Warriors (38-36) are just 1.5 games ahead of the Mavericks. Close losses, like Wednesday's to the Warriors, notably set the team back as wiggle room in the seeding chase diminishes with each game. Dallas has nine games remaining.

After the game, Dallas owner Mark Cuban pointed out in an extended-Tweet that in the third quarter the officials changed a call and gave the Warriors possession without informing the Mavericks. The situation saw Kevon Looney get a free run at the rim and has Cuban looking to file a protest with the NBA.

"For those wondering about the play with 1:54 to go on the 3rd, let me explain what happened," Cuban tweeted. "The ref called Mavs ball . The announcer announced it. Then there was a timeout . During the time out the official changed the call and never told us.

"Then when they saw us line up as if it were our ball, he just gave the ball to the warriors. Never said a word to us They got an easy basketball. Crazy that it would matter in a 2 point game. Worst officiating non call mistake possibly in the history of the NBA . All they had to do was tell us and they didn't."

You can see highlights from the game below.

NBA officials under fire from Monty Williams as well

Mark Cuban, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks aren't the only ones complaining about the league's officiating this week. Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams was hit with a $20,000 fine for criticizing the officiating in the team's loss to the LA Lakers.

During the postgame news conference, Williams called out the free-throw discrepancy between the Lakers and the Suns:

"I'm over it. I've been talking about the same thing for a while. Doesn't matter what team it is. Last game, Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander of the OKC Thunder) gets, I think he had 19 free throws. And it's old. And I'm tired of talking about free throws.

"Our guys have to do their job. We understand that. But that's a huge disparity. Forty-six free throws. And I'll say it again: 46 to 20. That's it. That's all I got to say."