The Los Angeles Lakers may have beaten the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, but it came at a cost.
Luka Doncic got his 16th technical foul of the season, and he’ll now face a one-game suspension. According ot ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers will appeal the call, hoping it gets rescinded.
Doncic and Goga Bitadze were hit with double technical fouls late in the third quarter. When asked about the incident, the former Dallas Mavericks star blamed Bitadze for crossing a line.
Luka Doncic says Goga Bitadze crossed a line
“I’m definitely hoping [it is rescinded]. Obviously, I let my team down getting that last tech. But honestly, I wasn’t trying to,” Doncic said, per ESPN. “[Bitadze] said at the free throw, he would [expletive] my whole family. And at some point, this is a basketball court. At some point, I just can’t stand it. I got to stand up for myself. But I know I got to do better.”
The Magic’s big man denied any wrongdoing and said it was all a misunderstanding. Doncic admitted that he should’ve kept his cool, and he can now only hope that the committee’s decision goes his way.
“My teammates, I know they have my back, so I let them down today. But hopefully, it gets rescinded,” Doncic continued.
Doncic still finished the game with 33 points and eight assists. This would be Doncic’s third career suspension for reaching at least 16 technical fouls in a season.
He’s constantly going at the referees after every call and no-call, and his reputation might go against him in any potential appeal. However, the Lakers will argue that the referees should’ve issued warnings before calling the technicals. Should the suspension stick, Doncic won’t be on the floor for the Lakers’ Monday night matchup with the Detroit Pistons.