Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic faces a possible suspension after receiving his 16th technical foul during a game against the Brooklyn Nets, according to a March 28 report. Doncic, who has been on a strong scoring run in recent weeks, had previously avoided suspension when one of his earlier technical fouls was rescinded by the National Basketball Association.
The issue is significant for the Lakers as Doncic has played a key role in their recent success. A suspension would mean he could miss Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards. “He was yelling in my face three times, I just wanted to get out of there. It’s a double tech, of course…What can I say? I didn’t even talk, I just wanted to get out of there,” Doncic said about the incident that led to his latest technical foul. “They said my push was exaggerated which it obviously was not. I don’t know what else to say.”
The altercation took place in the third quarter following an exchange between Doncic and Ziaire Williams. After Williams approached him and got close, Doncic pushed him away and Williams responded by making contact with Doncic’s face. Officials issued double technical fouls shortly afterward.
If upheld, this technical will trigger an automatic one-game suspension under league rules for accumulating sixteen technical fouls in a season. The Lakers would feel this absence as they prepare for their upcoming matchup with Washington.
Doncic has reportedly made efforts not to argue with officials since reaching fifteen technicals but may need to avoid confrontations with opponents as well going forward.
In addition to disciplinary concerns, Doncic recently achieved an impressive milestone by averaging over forty points per game during the team’s six-game road trip—a feat last accomplished by Michael Jordan.
