The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a critical blow in their playoff seeding race on Tuesday night, falling 136-120 to the Oklahoma City Thunder after star guard Luka Doncic was ejected late in the fourth quarter. The controversial ejection shifted the momentum of the game, leading to a meltdown that could have significant implications for the Lakers’ postseason aspirations.
The incident occurred with just under eight minutes remaining in the game. Doni had just scored a contested layup to give the Lakers a 108-107 lead when he exchanged words with a fan seated courtside. Referee J.T. Orr, standing nearby, interpreted Doni’s comment as directed at him and issued a technical foul. It was Doni’s second technical of the game, resulting in an automatic ejection.
Despite Doncic’s protests that his words were aimed at the fan, the decision stood, and the Lakers were left to finish the game without their star player. The Thunder capitalized immediately, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sinking the technical free throw to tie the game.
Moments later, another technical foul on Jarred Vanderbilt gave Oklahoma City an additional point. From there, the Thunder seized control, outscoring the Lakers 28-11 in the final stretch. Alex Caruso’s clutch three-pointer gave the Thunder a 112-110 lead, and they never looked back.
It was a tight one just before the ejection
Before Doncic’s ejection, the game had been a tightly contested thriller. Both teams showcased electric offense in the first quarter, with the score tied at 43-43 after a barrage of three-pointers. The Thunder built an eight-point halftime lead, but the Lakers stormed back in the third quarter, fueled by Doni’s deep shooting and playmaking. The stage was set for a dramatic finish until the ejection derailed the Lakers’ momentum.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 48-31, maintaining their third-place position in the Western Conference but narrowing their lead over the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies to just one game. With three games remaining in the regular season, the Lakers are now 1.5 games ahead of seventh place, which would force them into the play-in tournament rather than securing a guaranteed playoff berth.
Doni’s ejection has reignited discussions about his fiery on-court demeanor, which has led to multiple technical fouls throughout his career. This season alone, he has accumulated 14 technicals, tied for the fifth-most in the league. While his passion is a driving force behind his success, moments like Tuesday’s underscore the fine line between competitive intensity and costly decisions.
As the Lakers prepare for their final games against the Mavericks, Rockets, and Trail Blazers, the stakes could not be higher. Doncic’s ability to stay composed and avoid further ejections will be crucial as Los Angeles fights to secure a top-four seed and avoid the uncertainty of the play-in tournament. For now, the team must regroup and focus on finishing the season strong, knowing that every game counts in the tightly packed Western Conference.
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