Last week, Laker fans breathed a sigh of relief after Luka Doncic’s technical foul in a Lakers-Magic game was rescinded. This would have been Doncic’s 16th technical foul of the season, meaning that he would have served a one-game suspension had the tech been upheld.
This past Friday, however, the six-time All-Star was slapped with yet another technical foul, this time in a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. 24 hours later, the NBA announced that this call would stand and that Doncic would be suspended for the Lakers-Wizards game on Monday.
Fan reactions to this development ranged from disappointment to another wave of relief, given that the Wizards (17-56) have one of the worst records in the NBA.
“Tough break but perfect timing against the Wizards. Get the rest appeal if possible and come back stronger. Tech discipline needs work though. Luka’s been carrying hard one game off won’t kill us but the techs are getting expensive”
“hes ducking us”
“Softest tech foul ever..At this point, there might just be a conspiracy against Luka winning the MVP..Crazy how is achievement on the court is downplayed but unpleasant news abt him are amplified”
“luka gets traded to the lakers and immediately starts collecting techs like he’s speedrunning a suspension. some things never change”
“Good for him. Much needed rest. Let the others play the Wizards. AR is getting 40-50 and then Luka will take care of the Cavs!”
“Luka really said ‘rest day, but make it official'”
Though the Lakers are favored to win their matchup against the Wizards, Luka Doncic’s suspension does have significant implications. Specifically, Monday’s matchup will be the 13th game that Doncic will miss this season. Under the 65-game rule, he can only afford to miss four more if he wants to stay in the running for major awards like MVP.
The Lakers will have seven more games after they take on the Wizards. For more reasons than one, he will have to make himself available for the bigger chunk of this final stretch.
“It’s Insane to Me”: Austin Reaves Talks About Luka Doncic “Dropping” in the MVP Race
Luka Doncic has had his fair share of naysayers when it comes to his MVP case. For his backcourt partner Austin Reaves, the skepticism is unwarranted.
After the Lakers’ 116-99 victory over the Nets on Friday, Reaves spoke up in support of the Slovenian star.
“He continues to drop in the MVP race, which is insane to me. I guess it doesn’t really matter. Maybe he’s gotta score 60, I don’t know.”
When Reaves isn’t messing around with Doncic in the locker room, he has his teammate’s back in the conversations that matter most.
