NBA makes decision on potential suspension for Luka Doncic

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at Kia Center. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

NBA makes decision on potential suspension for Lakers' Luka Doncic

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 22, 2026 7:16 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers were reportedly preparing for a suspension for guard Luka Doncic. They don't need to do that anymore.

The NBA announced Sunday that it has rescinded Doncic's 16th technical foul this season, allowing him to play in a road game against the Detroit Pistons (51-19) on Monday at 7 p.m. ET (h/t Yahoo Sports). Had the league decided differently, the Lakers star would've faced a one-game suspension.

Why was Luka Doncic potentially facing a suspension?

Doncic drew his 16th technical in the third quarter of a 105-104 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, when he and center Goga Bitadze exchanged words while he was shooting free throws. The center also received a technical.

In a postgame news conference, Doncic said Bitadze made threats toward his family, causing him to lose his temper. The center denied that claim.

The NBA has rescinded Luka Doncic’s 16th technical and cleared him to play Monday vs. the Pistons, the league announced. pic.twitter.com/SRG9TV5qDc
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 22, 2026

"I have all the respect for Luka and what he has done," the Georgian center said in a statement, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I really respect everybody's family. Where I come from, it's really sacred, and we really respect each other's family. I would never directly say that."

How Luka Doncic avoiding suspension benefits Lakers

The Lakers (46-25) will be relieved that Doncic avoided a suspension. L.A. has gone 9-1 over its last 10 games, due in large part to the Slovenian standout's excellent play. Per StatMuse, the guard has averaged 38.7 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game and 7.4 assists per game during this stretch. That included a 60-point performance during a 134-126 win over the Miami Heat on March 19.

As of Sunday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives Doncic the second-best odds (+1200) to win league MVP behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-1500). To continue making up ground in the race for the award, the guard (who has played 59 games) can't afford to miss more.

NBA players must play in a minimum of 65 regular-season games to be eligible for major awards, including MVP. Eleven regular-season games remain for Doncic and the Lakers, giving him fewer opportunities to overtake Gilgeous-Alexander.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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