Lakers Seek Reversal of Luka Doncic’s 16th Technical to Prevent Automatic Suspension
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The Los Angeles Lakers plan to petition the NBA to overturn Luka Doncic’s 16th technical foul of the 2025-26 season, a move that would keep the All-Star guard eligible for Monday’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons.
Doncic received the technical late in the first quarter of Los Angeles’ 112-109 victory over the Orlando Magic on March 21 at Kia Center. Officials assessed double technicals to Doncic and Magic center Goga Bitadze after the two exchanged words near the free-throw line. No physical contact was involved.
Under league rules, a 16th technical triggers an automatic one-game suspension. If the appeal is denied, Doncic will be sidelined when the Lakers face Detroit, which enters the game atop the Eastern Conference.
Doncic disputes the call
Speaking on Spectrum SportsNet after the win, Doncic said he tried to remain calm but reacted when Bitadze allegedly made remarks “about my whole family” in Serbian.
“I’m definitely hoping it gets rescinded,” Doncic said. “I know I let my team down getting that last tech. At some point I have to stand up for myself, but I know I have to do better.”
Redick: Lakers will contact the league
Head coach JJ Redick told Spectrum SportsNet the organization will submit the necessary paperwork to the league office.
“We’ll obviously try to get that rescinded,” Redick said. “There were certain things said in a language the referees couldn’t understand that referenced Luka’s mom. The officials didn’t have great control of that game.”
Playoff implications
The Lakers are in a tight Western Conference race and can ill afford to lose Doncic, who has been on a historic scoring run during the team’s current winning streak. While LeBron James and Austin Reaves have experience leading the offense in Doncic’s absence, Los Angeles faces a significant challenge against a Pistons squad that owns the league’s best record.
Source: LakersNation.com
