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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers motions towards Matas Buzelis #14 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Over the last few weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers have had to deal with questions about Luka Doncic and his treatment of officials. Doncic is known to have a temper and argues with referees often. He recently had a technical foul assessed against him against Orlando.
That technical was eventually rescinded. Had that stood, Doncic would have been suspended for his next game. Doncic is also going through some things in his personal life. Doncic is going through a split with his fiancée at the moment, so that might be affecting him.
According to a recent report, his personal life does affect how he talks to officials on the court.
Lakers Guard Luka Doncic Yells at Refs to Deal with His Personal Life
According to Tim McMahon of the Hoop Collective, Doncic yells at some referees more when things are not going well in his personal life. McMahon claims that the Mavericks knew about this, as well.
“When times are tough for Luka off the floor, that’s when he’s at his most petulant of the floor. People with the Mavericks knew just based on who was in town, ‘Hey, Luka’s going to be volatile tonight.’ He goes at refs in particular when he’s venting because he’s really frustrated with other things. He’s sometimes frustrated with things within the franchise. A lot of times it’s stuff in his personal life.”
Doncic is going through a very public separation that involves children, so he is clearly going through a very tough situation. That might be a reason why he has accumulated enough technical fouls to be close to suspension. The yelling at refs also affects his defense as well.
Doncic doesn’t get back on defense while he is still yelling at referees, which affects the rest of the team’s ability to prevent teams from scoring. Right now, Los Angeles has the 11th-worst defense in the NBA. This might be the one thing holding him back from being an MVP.
Los Angeles is Hurt by Doncic Yelling at Officials
McMahon mentions that Doncic’s lack of getting back on defense has taken its toll on the team.
“It’s not just that he’s getting technical fouls. It’s, hey, he’s not getting back on defense because he’s so engaged in the referees. It’s that kind of stuff.”
Doncic has to figure out the best way for him to vent his frustrations in ways that will not hurt his team. The Lakers sit third in the Western Conference standings at the moment. Los Angeles also has the eighth-best offense in the NBA now that they are fully healthy.
The Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the league. They have won 12 of their last 13 games, which is why they have shot all the way up the standings. Doncic has been playing very well offensively since the news of the split with his fiancee broke.
Los Angeles is a hoping to get through the rest of the season without Doncic getting another technical foul assessed to him.