8:58 pm: Coach JJ Redick said the Lakers will file an appeal with the league to have the technical foul rescinded, McMenamin tweets. Redick claims Bitadze made a comment about Doncic’s mother in a language that the officials don’t understand.
8:33 pm: Luka Doncic was whistled for a technical foul late in the third quarter of tonight’s game in Orlando after an exchange with Goga Bitadze (Twitter video link from NBA on ESPN). It’s Doncic’s 16th technical of the season and will result in an automatic one-game suspension if it’s not rescinded, notes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (Twitter link). The suspension would be served Monday when the Lakers travel to Detroit.
Reaching 16 technicals also puts Doncic in jeopardy for the rest of the regular season. For every two additional technical fouls he receives, he will be automatically suspended for an additional game.
Doncic has always been an outspoken player on the court and frequently crosses the line when talking to officials and opponents. During a game against New York earlier this month, he was fined $50K for “directing an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official.” The gesture was the “money sign” that Doncic often flashes toward referees after not getting a call that he wants.
Doncic becomes the second player this season to reach 16 technicals and trigger the automatic suspension. Phoenix’s Dillon Brooks reached that number in mid-February.
Doncic has been playing at an MVP level lately, including a 40-point performance Wednesday at Houston, followed by a 60-point night Thursday in Miami. The Lakers have surged into third place in the West with an eight-game winning streak, but they’ll need Doncic on the court as much as possible to hold onto that seed in a tight race.
😩😭😢😭😩😢😭😩😢😭😩😩😭😢😭😭
gotta be careful when cracking “yo mama” jokes in this post-covid, hyper sensitive world in which we live.
She may well be so dumb, so ugly, so fat, and wear puma sweats/pants, but keep it to yourself and just say that she’s doing the best she can to live her best life.
Seen lukas mother? Bitadze wasn’t joking.
Considering Luka had to sue his own mother, you might want to stick to withholding comment on relationships you don’t understand. It obviously goes beyond “yo mama is fat”.
More than half the time. Luka initiates the contact. Then cry’s and complains for a call. He is by far the worst complainer in the L. Then he will continue to complain for next few plays. I have never seen anyone as bad as the OneWay Wonder …….. Ever.
Get a grip and playD. Luka spends more time crying and complaining. Than actually playing defense. NBA has to handle this.
He hasn’t really done that at all since his 15th tech though, and that has corresponded directly with the Lakers’ win streak. He really is a different player without the focusing on the refs and lagging to get back on D to complain.
That being said, he said after the game Bitadze said F your family. If that’s true, given what Luka’s going through, that was a low down comment and I understand his reaction. If true.
Luka said something about Bitadze’s family first. Goga said that he repeated what Luka said to him
Is that’s true, then Lukas gotta be able to take what you dish out
Just read Bitadzes post game comments. Not sure I buy that tbh. But oh well… Suspension on the way regardless
I doubt a ref would say that. Unless really provoked over time. He’s a Diva. And he’s too good a player to act like that. He gets most calls. So why are you a complainer. I agree he was Worse in Dallas. It’s a bad look. When one of top offensive players is always expecting the calls. Then cries when he doesn’t get it.
Techs for talking just proves how soft the league has become.
Nope. Techs are how refs get the game under control and prevent escalation.
Funny to call the league soft on a night where OKC and the Wiz fought.
Comparatively to 20 years ago I stand correct. Still stand by my original comment. League let a lot more go back then.
I bet they rescind it.
Repeat offender. If he’s so bothered about a 16th tech, he probably should have shown some self control across the first 15.