Los Angeles Lakers appeal Luka Doncic technical foul to avoid ban
The Los Angeles Lakers have submitted a formal appeal to the NBA to rescind Luka Doncic’s 16th technical foul and prevent an automatic one-game suspension.
The Slovenian guard was penalised during Saturday’s 105-104 victory over the Orlando Magic following a heated verbal altercation with centre Goga Bitadze.
If the league upholds the official’s decision, the former Dallas Mavericks star will be banned for Monday’s fixture against the Detroit Pistons.
Under NBA rules, players receive an automatic one-match suspension upon accumulating 16 technical fouls during a single regular season.
Dispute over inappropriate language
Referee Marat Kogut issued a double technical foul to both players with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter.
The two European players have since provided conflicting accounts regarding the exact nature of their court-side exchange.
Following the match, the Lakers playmaker claimed his opponent had directed a deeply offensive comment towards his family while at the free-throw line.
“He said at the free throw, he would f*** my whole family. And at some point, this is a basketball court. At some point, I just can’t stand it. I got to stand up for myself.”
Bitadze claims initial provocation
The Orlando centre firmly denied initiating the offensive language during a subsequent interview with the media.
Bitadze alleged that Doncic first insulted his mother in Serbian, prompting him to simply repeat the exact phrase in retaliation.
“He just said some inappropriate things in the Serbian language, which, I played in Serbia, I understand. I don’t know if he knew I understood what he said. So, I just said it back.”
The Georgian international issued a conditional apology, stating he merely responded in the heat of the moment and did not mean to disrespect his opponent’s family.
Officials defend technical calls
The Lakers’ front office believes match officials should have issued a formal warning before immediately escalating to technical fouls.
However, crew chief Marc Davis insisted that both individuals had already been expressly instructed to stop their ongoing taunting.
“They were both warned to cease their comments directed towards one another between the two free throws.”
The NBA disciplinary committee is expected to review the incident and deliver a final ruling before Los Angeles take to the court on Monday.
