Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic faces ban after 16th technical
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic faces an automatic one-game suspension after picking up his 16th technical foul of the NBA season during Friday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.
The MVP candidate was penalised following a third-quarter physical altercation with Nets forward Ziaire Williams.
Crew chief Sean Wright assessed double technical fouls after an offensive foul was called with just over five minutes remaining in the period.
Video replays showed the Lakers playmaker pushing Williams, who subsequently retaliated by swiping at his opponent’s face.
Pending appeal and recent reprieves
If the NBA upholds the decision, the mandatory ban will be served when the Washington Wizards visit Los Angeles on Monday.
An overturn appears highly unlikely given that officials reviewed the baseline incident extensively before confirming the penalties.
The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week recently escaped a similar suspension last weekend.
League officials rescinded a technical awarded for a verbal altercation with Orlando Magic centre Goga Bitadze following a successful Lakers appeal.
Costly absence during stellar run
Any enforced absence would severely disrupt a phenomenal run of form for the Los Angeles talisman.
He has averaged an astonishing 39.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists over his past 11 appearances.
This prolific scoring streak has driven a dominant sequence of results, with the franchise winning 10 of those recent matchups.