Luka Doncic Nears Suspension Threshold After Technical Foul, But Keeps Focus on MVP-Caliber Season
Luka Doncic isn’t letting a controversial technical foul slow him down-not on the court and certainly not in his mindset. The Lakers’ star guard picked up his 13th technical of the season during Tuesday’s 115-107 win over the Denver Nuggets, a call he plans to appeal. The tech came in the first half after Doncic voiced frustration over what he believed was missed contact on a drive.
“I got hit in the arm twice,” Doncic said postgame. “I shouldn’t get a tech for that.”
The league might see it differently, but Doncic is hoping the appeal will stick. If it does, it would drop his total to 12, giving him a little breathing room before reaching the automatic one-game suspension that comes with 16 technicals in a season. Each tech also carries a $4,000 fine, and while that’s not exactly breaking the bank for a player set to earn just under $46 million this year, the bigger concern is missing time in a tight Western Conference race.
Right now, the Lakers sit fifth in the standings, and Doncic is a massive reason why.
Against Denver, he put on another clinic-38 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a triple-double that powered Los Angeles to its 26th win of the season. The Lakers erased a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter, fueled by Doncic’s relentless playmaking and LeBron James’ steady leadership. It was the kind of performance that reminds everyone just how dangerous this Lakers team can be when their stars are locked in.
Doncic was efficient, too, hitting 12 of his 21 shots (57.1%) and knocking down 3 of 9 from beyond the arc. It wasn’t just the raw numbers-it was the timing. He made the right reads, found open teammates, and took over when the moment demanded it.
This season, Doncic is playing like a man on a mission. He’s leading the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game while adding 7.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists.
That’s MVP-level production, plain and simple. And while the technicals are piling up, they haven’t thrown him off his rhythm.
He’s made it clear: he’s focused on playing, not worrying about suspensions or fines. That kind of composure, even when frustration with officiating boils over, is part of what makes Doncic such a unique competitor. He plays with emotion, but he also understands the bigger picture.
The Lakers now head back to Los Angeles for a crosstown showdown with the Clippers at the new Intuit Dome on Thursday. It’s another big test in a season full of them. And if Doncic keeps playing at this level, not only will the Lakers keep climbing the standings-he’ll keep climbing the MVP ladder, too.