Luka Doncic continues to flirt with NBA discipline, as the Los Angeles Lakers star picked up his 14th technical foul Tuesday, March 3, against the New Orleans Pelicans, putting him just two away from a mandatory one-game suspension.
Scoring a game-high 27 points didn’t shield Doncic from scrutiny, as his 30% three-point shooting and seven turnovers drew criticism, though these numbers alone aren’t enough to warrant league action.
Doncic has struggled with officiating disagreements this season, and his pattern of arguing with referees has fans and analysts concerned, particularly given the Lakers’ push for playoff positioning with 21 games left.
The technical occurred with 1:17 left in the second quarter while the Lakers led 51-48, after Doncic missed his first free throw and began complaining about a missed lane violation on DeAndre Jordan.
He made his second attempt but immediately approached the referees, prompting teammate Austin Reaves to restrain him, though the whistle had already been blown for a technical foul.
To be fair, the call was correct: Jordan entered the lane before the shot was released, yet the manner in which Doncic protested drew the league’s attention, reinforcing his reputation as a frequent complainer.
If Doncic picks up two more technicals, he would join Dillon Brooks in being suspended for reaching the limit this season; Brooks missed a game on Feb. 19 after his 16th violation with the Phoenix Suns.
This situation is critical for the Lakers, who are contending for playoff seeding. Losing Doncic for even a single pivotal game could heavily affect the Western Conference standings and the team’s postseason hopes.
The six-time All-Star remains widely regarded as a top-five player in the NBA and a perennial MVP candidate, but his behavior on the court occasionally overshadows his elite talent, particularly when arguing calls.
Doncic stars as Lakers dismiss Pelicans
The Lakers faced a Pelicans team that came to Crypto.com Arena with a 19-43 record but had won four of their past five, featuring stars like Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray.
Los Angeles needed contributions across the board, and it took all five starters scoring in double figures, coupled with strong fourth-quarter defense, to secure a 110-101 win, extending the Lakers’ streak to three straight victories.
Doncic led the team with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, though he shot just 10-for-22 overall and 3-for-10 from deep, committing seven turnovers, demonstrating both his impact and his moments of inconsistency.
“I think we responded in a good way,” Doncic said. “Sometimes you got to win playing bad. That’s what good teams do. I think that’s what it is today. Obviously it wasn’t our best game, but we managed to get a win.”
Austin Reaves added 15 points on four-for-15 shooting, with eight rebounds and five turnovers, briefly leaving the game after an arm injury but returning after a timeout to help the Lakers maintain momentum.
Deandre Ayton scored 13 points with eight rebounds, while Marcus Smart contributed 10 points, four steals, three blocks, and a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth to help seal the victory.
Jaxson Hayes added eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks, supporting the Lakers’ interior presence. The team committed 20 turnovers through three quarters but limited mistakes in the fourth, including only one late 24-second violation.
Doncic’s technical remains a looming concern, as the Lakers cannot afford to lose their star in a tightly contested Western Conference race, meaning the Slovenian will need to carefully manage his on-court temper in the remaining games.
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