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DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 5: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after being called for a foul during the second quarter fof the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 5, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are close to being without Luka Doncic for a game. He is one technical foul away from getting an automatic suspension for one game. This is after he received another technical foul against the Denver Nuggets, which gives him 15.
Doncic has a reputation as one of the biggest complainers in the NBA. He never seems happy with either getting called for a foul or not getting a foul called when he drives to the hoop. Doncic is still one of the most talented offensive players in the league.
After the game against the Nuggets, Doncic was not pleased with the referee’s decision to give him a technical foul. Instead of taking accountability, he blamed the officials for giving him another one.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic dribbles the ball up the court. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers Guard Luka Doncic Blames Referees for Technical Foul Calls
Doncic believes he is getting unfair treatment from the refs, and that is resulting in the numerous technical foul calls he has.
“I heard three other players say the exact same sentence and didn’t get a tech. And that’s my problem. … I was trying not to talk at all. This is the first thing I said, no warning or nothing. But I heard three other players say the exact same thing, and nothing.”
Doncic clearly believes that he is getting unfair treatment from the officials compared to other players in the league. When asked what Doncic needs to do to avoid a suspension, his answer was simple.
“Don’t get another tech.”
For every technical foul that Doncic receives for the rest of the season, he will get a one-game suspension. He isn’t the only player in the league close to receiving a suspension for too many technicals. Dillon Brooks is facing the same fate and has actually already served a suspension for that.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic dribbles the ball. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Luka Doncic Needs to Learn How to Keep His Cool
The Lakers cannot afford to have Doncic be suspended for multiple games this season. LA sits sixth in the Western Conference standings right now. Any games without Doncic risk them falling further in the standings, which would result in them falling into the play-in.
Los Angeles is still trying to figure out how to make it work with Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves on the floor at the same time. That lack of chemistry has happened because of a multitude of injuries that James and Reaves have suffered.
Doncic must find a way to control his temper with the officials, especially before the playoffs begin. He has to be mentally strong enough to keep himself from yelling at the referees about missed calls, because getting thrown out of a playoff game would be a disaster.
The Lakers have the 10th-best offense in the league. With Doncic, James, and Reaves all healthy, they need to be able to put together a top-five offense in the NBA.