8:58 pm: Coach JJ Redick said the Lakers will file an appeal with the league to have the technical foul rescinded, McMenamin tweets. Redick claims Bitadze made a comment about Doncic’s mother in a language that the officials don’t understand.
8:33 pm: Luka Doncic was whistled for a technical foul late in the third quarter of tonight’s game in Orlando after an exchange with Goga Bitadze (Twitter video link from NBA on ESPN). It’s Doncic’s 16th technical of the season and will result in an automatic one-game suspension if it’s not rescinded, notes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (Twitter link). The suspension would be served Monday when the Lakers travel to Detroit.
Reaching 16 technicals also puts Doncic in jeopardy for the rest of the regular season. For every two additional technical fouls he receives, he will be automatically suspended for an additional game.
Doncic has always been an outspoken player on the court and frequently crosses the line when talking to officials and opponents. During a game against New York earlier this month, he was fined $50K for “directing an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official.” The gesture was the “money sign” that Doncic often flashes toward referees after not getting a call that he wants.
Doncic becomes the second player this season to reach 16 technicals and trigger the automatic suspension. Phoenix’s Dillon Brooks reached that number in mid-February.
Doncic has been playing at an MVP level lately, including a 40-point performance Wednesday at Houston, followed by a 60-point night Thursday in Miami. The Lakers have surged into third place in the West with an eight-game winning streak, but they’ll need Doncic on the court as much as possible to hold onto that seed in a tight race.
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