Luka Doncic Avoids Suspension After NBA Rescinds 16th Technical Foul

The Lakers superstar will remain available for their next game after the league overturned the controversial call.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 4:11am

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The NBA has rescinded what would've been Luka Doncic's 16th technical foul, meaning the Los Angeles Lakers superstar will avoid a one-game suspension and remain available for their next game. This came after a heated exchange with Orlando Magic's Goga Bitadze, where both players were handed double technicals. Doncic claimed Bitadze made damning comments about his family, while Bitadze said Doncic started the insults. The Lakers immediately appealed the call, and the league overturned Doncic's technical, keeping him at 15 for the season and preserving the team's momentum as they climb the Western Conference standings.

Why it matters

Luka Doncic is a crucial part of the Lakers' playoff push, and keeping him available is vital for the team's championship hopes. The rescission of the technical foul avoids a potential suspension that would have sidelined the superstar at a critical juncture of the season.

The details

In the third quarter of the Lakers' win over the Magic, Doncic and Bitadze were involved in a heated exchange that resulted in both players receiving technical fouls. Doncic claimed Bitadze made damning comments about his family, while Bitadze said Doncic started the insults. The Lakers immediately appealed the call, and after review, the NBA overturned Doncic's technical, erasing it from his record and leaving him at 15 for the season. A 16th technical would have triggered an automatic one-game suspension.

  • The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Lakers' win over the Magic on March 22, 2026.
  • The NBA rescinded the technical foul on March 23, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

The superstar player for the Los Angeles Lakers who was facing a potential suspension due to the technical foul.

Goga Bitadze

The Orlando Magic player who was involved in the heated exchange with Doncic that led to the technical foul.

Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA team that Doncic plays for, who were facing the potential loss of their star player due to the suspension.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Lakers will continue their playoff push with Doncic available for their next game against the Detroit Pistons.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of star players like Doncic to their teams' championship aspirations, and the impact that administrative decisions can have on a team's momentum and success.