Luka Doncic has received an automatic one-game suspension for his 16th technical foul of the season during the first quarter of Friday night’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Just before the first-quarter buzzer, Doncic was hit on the shoulder as he launched a half-court shot. No foul was called on the play.
According to NBA official Tony Brothers, the referee who assessed the technical, Doncic was given his 16th tech for “continuously complaining.”
Brothers confirmed that Doncic did not use any profanity in his argument.
Luka Doncic just picked up his 16th technical foul of the season 😳
The Mavs have one game left, are one game back of the Warriors for the 3rd seed, own the season-series tiebreaker against them.pic.twitter.com/Cvt8LGskIV
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 9, 2022
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Pool report with ref Tony Brothers regarding Luka Doncic’s 16th technical foul of the season: pic.twitter.com/9Bm7qzUk5Z
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 9, 2022
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This suspension comes at a tough time for Luka’s Mavericks. Currently holding the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, the Mavs could jump the Golden State Warriors with a win in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the San Antonio Spurs.
Unless the NBA office rescinds Friday night’s technical foul, Doncic will be unable to suit up for tomorrow’s important matchup.
“If you ask me, I think 100% it should be rescinded, because it wasn’t a tech at all,” Doncic said, per ESPN. “No warning, no nothing. I just asked him, ‘How is that not a call?’ Hopefully, it will be [rescinded], so I can play Sunday.”
The league office already rescinded one technical foul called on Doncic earlier this season. Last year, the Slovenian superstar received 17 technicals but avoided suspension as two were rescinded.
Doncic logged 39 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists before sitting out the fourth quarter of the Mavs’ 128-78 blowout win.
Likely without their superstar leader, the Mavs will face off against the Spurs tomorrow night at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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