Lakers forward Julius Randle fined $15,000 for gesture

Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle, front, celebrates as the Lakers defeat the Miami Heat in overtime in an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 30, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 102-100. AP/Mark J. Terrill

NEW YORK — Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle was fined $15,000 on Friday for making an obscene gesture after he hit a game-winning shot to beat the Miami Heat.

Randle was fined for his celebration after he spun into the paint and hit a tiebreaking hook shot with 1.9 seconds left in overtime Wednesday night.

"I was just having fun, but it's all right," Randle said after practice Friday. "It's no big deal. Now the joke can be on me. On to the next one."

The Western Conference-worst Lakers earned just their 16th victory of the season, beating the playoff-bound Heat 102-100.

The cathartic victory capped an emotionally draining day for the Lakers. Before the game, rookie D'Angelo Russell apologized profusely for taking an unflattering video of teammate Nick Young that had been leaked online.
 

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