Technical foul puts Lakers’ Luka Doncic at risk of one-game suspension
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LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic picked up his 16th technical foul of the season during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 116-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, triggering an automatic one-game suspension if the call is not overturned by the NBA.
The incident came with 5:12 remaining in the third quarter when Doncic and Nets forward Ziaire Williams tangled after an offensive foul on the Lakers star. Video review showed Doncic pushing Williams, who responded by swiping at Doncic’s face. Crew chief Sean Wright assessed double technicals.
“He was yelling in my face three times,” Doncic said after scoring 41 points. “I just wanted to get out of there. They said my push was ‘exaggerated,’ which it obviously was not.”
Doncic received what would have been his 16th technical last weekend in an exchange with Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze, but the league later rescinded both infractions after a Lakers appeal. Without another reversal, the suspension will be enforced when Los Angeles hosts the Washington Wizards on Monday.
Head coach JJ Redick said he did not have a clear view of the confrontation but added, “I’m sure we will appeal it.”
The potential suspension would cost Doncic roughly $317,000, or 1/145th of his annual salary. On the court, Los Angeles might not feel an immediate impact: the Lakers defeated Washington by 31 points on Jan. 30.
Doncic was named Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday for the second consecutive week. Over his past 12 games, the guard has averaged 39.7 points on 48.9% shooting (39.3% from three), 8.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 2.5 steals while the Lakers have gone 11-1.
If the technical stands, Doncic would sit against the Wizards and have three days of rest before Tuesday’s game in Cleveland. The Cavaliers routed the Lakers by 30 points on Jan. 28.
Doncic was listed as questionable with left hamstring soreness before Friday’s contest but was upgraded to available prior to tipoff.
Source: ESPN
