Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will be forced to sit out Monday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards after the NBA handed down a one-game suspension following his 16th technical foul of the season.
The incident occurred during Friday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, when tensions escalated between Doncic and Nets forward Ziaire Williams late in the third quarter. The pair were both assessed technical fouls after a brief altercation stemming from an offensive foul call.
“A video review showed Doncic pushing Williams and Williams retaliating by swiping at Doncic’s face,” according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Both players were called for a technical foul by crew chief Sean Wright.”
The suspension carries financial consequences as well, with Doncic set to lose a portion of his salary for the missed game.
“The suspension will cost 1/174 of his annual salary, or approximately $264,000,” McMenamin reported.
This marks the second time in recent days that Doncic has reached the technical foul threshold, though the previous instance was overturned after appeal.
Doncic previously picked up his 16th tech last weekend after a run in with Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze, but the NBA rescinded the techs after the Lakers appealed to the league.
Under league rules, further infractions will bring even harsher penalties as the regular season winds down.
“For every two additional technical fouls Doncic receives between now and the end of the regular season, he will be automatically suspended for an additional game,” McMenamin added. “The financial penalty will increase to 1/145 of his salary, or approximately $317,000.”
The timing is far from ideal for the Lakers, with Doncic in the middle of a dominant stretch, averaging 39.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 2.5 steals in his past 12 games.
Doncic is expected to return Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with just seven games remaining in the Lakers’ regular-season push.
