Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Getty
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Just a week after avoiding suspension, Los Angeles Lakers starLuka Doncic was unable to get his 16th technical foul of the season nixed a second time.
Doncic got into a physical altercation with Brooklyn Nets forwardZiaire Williams during Friday night’s game.
Both players exchanged jabs after Doncic was called for an offensive foul. After an official video review, each player was assessed a technical foul. It gave Doncic his 16th of the season and put him at risk of a one-game ban.
The Lakers appealed Doncic’s technical foul, but the NBA announced Saturday that the superstar will indeed servea one-game suspension. Doncic will miss Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards.
But not playing in a game is far from the only thing Doncic will miss out on.
Los Angeles Lakers star facing steep loss in salary
Doncic caught a big break just last weekend.
The 27-year-old Lakers star got into it with Magic forwardGoga Bitadze during last weekend’s game in Orlando. Both players were charged with technical fouls after some verbal sparring. It gave Doncic his 16th technical foul at the time.
L.A. successfully appealed Doncic’s 16th tech. Doncic avoided a one-game suspension and losing salary.
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
However, that is not the case this time around.
Not only will Doncic miss the Lakers’ next game — which may hurt his chances at winning the NBA MVP award as he gets closer to ineligibility due to the 65-game rule — he’ll lose approximately $264,000,according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
But that’s not all.
For every two additional technical fouls Doncic is assessed between now and the end of the regular season, he’ll be automatically suspended an additional game.
McMenamin reports Doncic will see financial penalties increase to approximately $317,000, roughly 1/145th of his salary.
Safe to say Doncic has every incentive to stay on his best behavior between now and the middle of April. Plus, the Lakers cannot afford him to be out of the lineup, especially with two critical games coming up against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Doncic must chain his emotions during L.A.’s playoff run
It is almost that time of year again. The time 30 teams set their eyes on as soon as training camp opened in late September.
Each team has spent all these months willing to do anything to enter the playoffs at full health and with sky-high momentum. The Lakers are on the cusp of doing just that.
They are getting healthier by the game. Doncic,Austin Reaves andLeBron James are clicking unlike any other Big Three. There is a chance for Los Angeles to gear up to do something special.
Few players will shoulder more playoff pressure than Doncic. For him to live up to what’s asked of him, he’ll need to put aside the extracurricular activity and avoid putting himself or his team in harm’s way.
The Lakers can’t afford Doncic picking up techs in the playoffs or being suspended. They’ll need the fully-engaged Doncic they’ve gotten over the last few weeks.
L.A. will be at home for Monday night’s game. Fortunately, they couldn’t have asked for a better game to be without Doncic.
The Wizards aren’t playing for anything other than a higher draft pick, meaning they’ll be ready to hand the Lakers a win if they really want it.