ORLANDO, Fla. — Luka Doncic was assessed his 16th technical foul of the season during Saturday’s game against the Magic, meaning the Lakers star will have to serve a one-game suspension, by league rule, unless the technical is rescinded.
Doncic, along with Magic center Goga Bitadze, were given double technicals after Doncic split a pair of free throws with 1:19 left in the third quarter.
Doncic and Bitadze appeared to have exchanged words while Doncic was shooting free throws late in the third.
They had another back and forth after the free throws, leading to the technical fouls.
Doncic entered Saturday with 15 technical fouls.
There had been three times in his NBA career (2020-23) that Dončić has finished a season with 15 technical fouls.
He finished with 13 techs in 50 games last season with the Mavericks and Lakers after having 13 in 2023-24 with the Mavericks.
While playing for the Mavericks, Dončić narrowly avoided a one-game suspension in the season finale of the 2021-22 season after the NBA office rescinded his 16th technical foul.
Dončić also picked up a 16th technical foul late in the 2022-23 season, which was also rescinded, resulting in him not having to serve a one-game suspension then either.
The Lakers will continue their trip against the Pistons on Monday, a game Doncic will likely miss.
