When the Los Angeles Lakers take the court against the Washington Wizards on Monday night, they’ll do so without star guard Luka Doncic.
But, not because of an injury issue.
Luka Doncic to miss game vs. Wizards due to NBA suspension
Doncic will miss the game against Washington due to a suspension from the NBA after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season during L.A.’s 116-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Receiving a 16th technical foul in a season triggers an automatic one-game suspension from the league.
The 16th technical called on Doncic was the result of a scuffle he had with Nets forward Ziaire Williams in the third quarter of the contest. In a turn that will surprise absolutely no one, Doncic didn’t necessarily agree with the call.
“[Williams] was yelling in my face — three times,” Doncic said after the game. “I just wanted to get out of there. It’s a double tech, of course. What can I say? I didn’t even talk. I just wanted to get out of there. And they said I pushed, my push was ‘exaggerated,’ which [it] was obviously not. And I don’t know what else to tell you.”
Doncic already received his 16th technical of the season in a game against the Orlando Magic earlier this month, but it was ultimately rescinded after the Lakers made an appeal to the league. There was no such appeal this time around.
In 62 games played so far this season, Doncic is averaging 33.7 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per performance.
The Lakers have won 7 straight games over the Wizards in a streak that dates back to 2022 – well before Doncic was on the Lakers. So, they shouldn’t need him to pull out a win.
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