NBA rescinds Luka Doncic’s 16th technical, keeps guard eligible vs. Pistons
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The NBA has withdrawn Luka Doncic’s 16th technical foul, the league announced Sunday afternoon, eliminating the automatic one-game suspension that would have sidelined the Los Angeles Lakers guard for Monday’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons.
Doncic drew the technical on March 21 at Kia Center in Orlando after a verbal exchange with Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze. Officials assessed double technicals when the two continued jawing while running down the court moments after free throws. The call pushed Doncic to the league-mandated suspension threshold.
The Lakers immediately appealed, arguing that Bitadze’s comments—remarks Doncic said involved his family—provoked the reaction. Following the review, the NBA agreed to rescind the infraction, allowing the 27-year-old star to remain available for a critical game against Detroit, the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
Before the incident in Orlando, Doncic had gone eight consecutive games without a technical after receiving his 15th against the Denver Nuggets. During that stretch he averaged MVP-level numbers and led Los Angeles to eight straight victories, a run extended to nine by Luke Kennard’s game-winner versus the Magic.
The Pistons will visit Crypto.com Arena without injured guard Cade Cunningham, while the Lakers regain their leading scorer. Head coach JJ Redick recently placed Doncic firmly in the MVP conversation, noting, “We would not be anywhere near the position we’re in without him having the season that he’s having.”
Source: Lakers Nation
