Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has had a technical foul rescinded by the NBA after being ejected from Tuesday night’s road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Doncic was thrown out of the 136-120 defeat in the fourth quarter, with the Lakers forced to wait at least one more game to get the win that would clinch them a playoff spot. Making matters worse for Los Angeles, the ejection came just seconds after Doncic had given them a one-point lead. Oklahoma City ended up pouncing, outscoring the Lakers 29-12 to win.
However, the NBA announced Wednesday that Doncic’s second technical won’t count against his total for the season. The superstar guard will make his much-anticipated return to Dallas, as the Lakers face the Mavericks, later Wednesday night. Los Angeles (48-31) is in third in the West’s playoff race, but there are no fewer than four teams right behind the Lakers with 47-32 records, and the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-33) are still in touching distance.
Here’s what to know about Doncic having his second technical rescinded from Tuesday’s loss:
Why was Luka Doncic’s second technical overturned?
With 7:40 to go, the Lakers guard drove toward the basket before pulling up to hit a floater, giving them a 108-107 lead. While Oklahoma City inbounded the ball, Doncic turned toward the sideline and appeared to shout something as he jogged back up the court.
Referee J.T. Orr, who happened to be in Doncic’s line of sight, immediately whistled the star, giving him a second technical foul and ejecting him.
Doncic immediately began to plea his case, gesturing toward fans in courtside seats at Paycom Arena, but Orr and the rest of the officials were unmoved. At the time, Orr believed Doncic was addressing him.
Following the game, head official Tony Brothers responded to questions from pool reporter Chris Brunt on the decision, saying that Doncic ‘looked directly at an official and used vulgar language.’
Doncic said after the game that he was talking back to a trash-talking fan, with Thunder courtside regular Jeremy Price telling The Oklahoman that the exchange was between him and Doncic.
‘I’ve never gotten a fan ejected,’ Doncic told reporters. ‘But if he’s gonna talk, I’m gonna talk back, like always. That had nothing to do with the refs. I didn’t really understand [the ejection].’
When that call was reviewed by the league office Wednesday, it was determined Orr was not certain Doncic was addressing him.
Is it common for the NBA to overturn technical fouls?
Yes. It is common practice for the league office to review technical fouls (players are automatically ejected if they pick up a second technical in the same game) and make sure they were assessed properly. If a second technical foul is called, the referee must be certain of the call and it must stand up under review.
How many times has the NBA overturned a technical foul?
Many.
The league office has overturned technical fouls six times in the past five weeks and nine times in the past two months.
For example, Cleveland’s Max Strus had one rescinded two days ago; Boston’s Jayson Tatum had one rescinded last week; Washington’s Bub Carrington on March 23; and Miami’s Davion Mitchell and Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse saw theirs overturned March 27, according to NBAOfficial on X.
How many technicals can a player acquire before having to sit out?
NBA rules state any player with 16 technicals in one regular season must serve a one-game suspension. Doncic now has 13 with three games remaining. If he picks up No. 16 before Sunday’s regular-season finale, he will have to sit out. If he picks up No. 16 on Sunday, he will be suspended for the next regular-season game – which would be in 2025-26.
Would Luka Doncic miss a playoff game if he gets his 16th technical Sunday?
No. If Doncic picks up a 16th technical during the regular-season’s final game, his suspension would be served during the first regular-season game of the 2025-26 season.
Players’ technical foul totals go back to zero when the playoffs begin.
How many players have gotten 16 technicals this season?
Two. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Houston’s Dillon Brooks.
Are other NBA players close to getting a 16th technical?
As teams wind down the regular season, which ends Sunday, here is who is near the line:
- Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart: 14
- Atlanta’s Trae Young: 13
- Doncic: 13
- Four other players with 12