Luka Doncic to Sit Out One Game Due to Accumulated Technical Fouls on Monday
The NBA has handed Luka Doncic a one-game suspension, following his accumulation of technical fouls. The league confirmed that Doncic will sit out Monday’s match against the Washington Wizards after receiving his 16th technical foul during the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
In that game, Doncic was involved in a contentious moment with Nets player Ziaire Williams. While attempting to navigate around Williams, who was shouting in his direction, Doncic pushed him aside, resulting in both players receiving technical fouls. After the incident, Doncic commented that the referees deemed his push as “exaggerated,” which he contested, stating, “Which was obviously [not the case].” Despite the controversy, he finished the game with an impressive 41 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
This marks the second instance in a week where Doncic has faced suspension due to technical fouls. He narrowly avoided a previous suspension after the NBA rescinded a technical foul he received against Orlando on March 21. That reversal allowed him to participate in a tight encounter against the Detroit Pistons, where he scored 32 points, although the Lakers ultimately lost, ending their nine-game winning streak.
The upcoming game against the Wizards is expected to be less challenging for the Lakers, as Washington has struggled significantly, losing 17 of its last 18 outings. The Wizards will also be missing key players, including Trae Young and newly acquired Anthony Davis, due to injuries.
With the Lakers (48-26) set to face the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers soon after, the suspension may provide Doncic with a much-needed chance to rest. He played through hamstring soreness during the victory over the Nets, and the two-day break leading up to Monday’s game marks their first since the All-Star break.
Doncic, currently leading the league in scoring, has established himself as a prominent candidate for Most Valuable Player honors, significantly contributing to the Lakers’ third-place standing in the Western Conference. He has scored 30 points or more in 12 consecutive games, achieving the longest such streak of his career. Throughout this span, Doncic has averaged 35.5 points per game, and his season total of 102 steals makes him the first Laker since Kobe Bryant to average over 30 points with 100 or more steals in a season.
The Lakers may also be without guard Marcus Smart, who has missed the last three games due to a right ankle contusion and a related hip injury. According to head coach JJ Redick, Smart is showing improvement but remains day-to-day as the team prepares for their next matchup.
