The Lakers star received his 16th technical foul of the season on Saturday against the Orlando Magic, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension. Unless the league overturns the foul, Dončić will be out for the Lakers’ clash against the East-leading Detroit Pistons on Monday.
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The foul occurred late in the third quarter, following an exchange of words between Dončić and Magic big man Goga Bitadze. The two were gaping during a free throw and Dončić continued talking to him as they ran down the court.
The referees hit the players with a double technique. This will be much more costly for Dončić, who also faces a $5,000 fine.
It is the first time Dončić has received a suspension for a technical foul, although he has come close to doing so in the past. He finished three consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2023 with 15 technicians and had 13 last season. He was actually in the same position in 2023, but the NBA decided to rescind the 16th tech in that case.Advertisement
The league has already terminated a Dončić coach this season, but that was a clear case of a wrong referee.
Dončić would be the second NBA player to receive such a suspension, joining Phoenix Suns star and former Lakers villain Dillon Brooks. Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has also been suspended multiple times due to his six flagrant fouls.
If Dončić’s foul is not overturned, he will face a $5,000 fine for each subsequent technical foul and another one-game suspension for every two technicals for the remainder of the regular season.
All of this comes in the middle of one of the best stretches of Dončić’s career. He arrived Saturday after the Lakers’ first 60-point game since Kobe Bryant’s farewell performance in 2016 and averaging 40.9 points in their last eight games.