Lakers forward pays flop fine

Lakers forward Ziaire Williams paid a $2,000 fine on Monday after the NBA penalized him for excessive flopping during Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz. The penalty marked one of the league’s first major enforcement actions under its increased scrutiny of players falling back on contact.

During the fourth quarter of a one-point game, Jazz rookie guard Darryn Peterson extended his arm toward Williams’ chest. Williams jumped backward, causing Peterson to pick up an offensive foul with 4:44 remaining. The Lakers won that contest 132-123, fueled by a 52-point performance from Luka Doncic in Salt Lake City.

Williams stated he received no feedback from the league regarding the specific call. He plans to appeal the ruling but accepted the decision for now. “That’s just what the league did, man,” Williams said Tuesday at shootaround. “Do I agree with it? Not necessarily, but I mean, it’s the league’s rule, so whatever they say, that’s how it goes.”

The 25-year-old wing noted that the enforcement trend will not change his defensive approach. “I’ll pay my fine and, you know, if I got to flop again to get a win, then that’s what I’ll do,” he said. “I’m always going to do whatever it takes to win.”

Rookie center Cameron Carr practiced with the Coachella Valley Lakers on Tuesday as he recovers from a right oblique strain. The G League squad, which relocated from El Segundo to the Inland Empire this season, released its training camp roster on Monday. A team source said the team practiced at the Lakers’ facility because the NBA requires teams to report if a fully guaranteed contract player participates in G League activities.

Coach JJ Redick explained that Carr, the No. 24 overall pick in June’s draft, joined the G League group for practice due to a sparse Lakers schedule. The team plays five games in seven nights. Redick said the 21-year-old completed a full session, a necessary step before he returns to NBA action. Carr previously recorded 19 points in the preseason opener in Sacramento.

Second-year forward Adou Thiero remains sidelined with left knee swelling. He performed conditioning drills with assistant coach Ty Abbott on Tuesday morning before the Lakers hosted the Portland Trail Blazers.