LOS ANGELES — Luka Dončić has officially been suspended one game by the NBA after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 116-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
Under league rules, a player is automatically suspended for one game upon receiving a 16th technical foul. The NBA confirmed the suspension Saturday, though the Lakers are expected to appeal the ruling, as they successfully did earlier this month when a previous technical assessed to Dončić was rescinded.
With five minutes left in the third quarter Friday, Dončić and Nets forward Ziaire Williams were each issued a double technical following an offensive foul. A replay review showed Dončić pushing Williams away, with Williams responding by swinging his arm and making contact with Dončić’s face.
“Ziaire hit my face three times. I just wanted to get out of there,” Dončić said after the game. “It’s a double tech, of course. What can I say? I didn’t even talk.”
The incident marked the second time in recent days that Dončić found himself on the verge of suspension. He was previously assessed his 16th technical during a win over the Orlando Magic after a verbal exchange with center Goga Bitadze, but that technical was later rescinded on appeal, keeping him eligible.
Lakers coach JJ Redick indicated the team would again consider challenging the call.
“I’m sure we will appeal it,” Redick said. “I didn’t see enough.”
If the suspension is upheld, Dončić would miss the first game of the Lakers’ final back-to-back of the regular season against the Washington Wizards.
The suspension comes as Dončić continues a dominant stretch in what has become a strong MVP push. He leads the NBA in scoring at 33.6 points per game and added another standout performance Friday, finishing with 41 points on 15-of-25 shooting, including five 3-pointers.
Dončić has now scored 40 or more points in six of the Lakers’ last 12 games — a stretch that includes 60- and 51-point performances. Los Angeles has gone 11-1 during that run and sits third in the Western Conference at 48-26.
Whether Dončić ultimately serves the suspension or has it overturned could play a key role in the Lakers’ positioning heading into the postseason.