Luka Doncic will serve a one-game mandatory suspension for the Los Angeles Lakers after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. Doncic got into it with Ziaire Williams and Nic Claxton in the third quarter. The issue escalated after Doncic shoved Williams’ arm away, who snapped back and inadvertently hit the Lakers superstar in the neck.
The refs called double-technicals on both players to de-escalate the situation, leading to Doncic’s suspension. He will miss Monday’s home game against the Washington Wizards as a result.
How Many Games Has Luka Doncic Missed This Season?
Luka Doncic has missed 12 games. After serving a suspension on Monday, he will miss 13 games this season. Doncic must play at least three of the Lakers’ last seven games after Monday to make himself eligible for end-of-season awards. He’s among the MVP and potential All-NBA First Team candidates amid a spectacular season, averaging a league-leading 33.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.6 steals on 47.6% shooting.
The Lakers are fortunate that Doncic’s suspension has come against a lottery-bound team. Washington is 17-56, coming off a 1-9 run. The Lakers would be the favorites regardless of Doncic’s status. The missed game would also give Doncic much-needed rest after a grueling six-game road trip followed by Friday’s home game against the Nets.
Doncic has played all 19 games since the All-Star break. In March, he’s played 37.3 minutes per contest. Doncic would get a three-day break before the Lakers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Luka Doncic denies wrondoing after 16th technical leads to suspension
Luka Doncic pleaded his case on Friday after his 16th technical and eventual one-game suspension. Doncic said he didn’t say much to warrant one, and the justification received from the officials was that his push on Ziaire Williams was exaggerated.
Doncic said it wasn’t exaggerated as described to him and was clueless about what more he could have done to avoid the tech.
