Ziaire Williams is not thrilled about being fined for flopping, but the Los Angeles Lakers forward is not about to change the way he plays. The NBA fined Williams $2,000 for a flop during the Lakers’ 132-123 comeback win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday in Salt Lake City.
Speaking to reporters, Williams made it clear he does not necessarily agree with the decision.
“That’s just what the league did, man. Do I agree with it? Not necessarily, but I mean, it’s the league rules, so whatever they said, that’s how it goes,” Williams said, via Law Murray of The Athletic. “You know, I’ll pay my fine, and if I gotta flop again to get a win, that’s what I’ll do.”
The play in question came with just under five minutes left in the fourth quarter, with the Lakers trailing by a point. Williams was guarding Keyonte George when the Jazz guard was whistled for an offensive foul for shoving him with his off hand. Williams flailed backward on the contact, and the league later ruled that he had exaggerated it.
Williams still believes it was the right play, and he is hoping to get his money back.
“I thought it was a good defensive play, but like I said, it is what it is,” Williams said. “I sent it to my agent, and hopefully we should appeal it and get my money back, but if not, it is what it is.”
The NBA has made flopping one of its areas of focus for the 2026-27 season, but Williams insisted the fine will not change his approach on the defensive end.
“I’m not mad about it or anything. It’s not going to affect the way I play defense,” Williams said. “I’m always going to do whatever it takes to win.”
That mindset has made Williams a key piece for the Lakers early on. The Los Angeles native has started all three games for his hometown team, averaging 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 52.2% from the field and 41.7% from three.
He was especially active against Utah, finishing with 11 points, three steals and a block as the Lakers erased an 18-point deficit to stay unbeaten at 3-0.