Lakers' Luka Dončić suspended 1 game for 16th technical

Dončić will sit out next game against Wizards due to league suspension rule

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the player's movements and the Lakers' team colors.Dončić's suspension underscores the NBA's strict enforcement of technical foul rules and the impact on a team's lineup and performance.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2025-26 NBA season. Under league rules, players are automatically suspended for a game once they reach 16 technical fouls, with additional suspensions for every 2 more technicals.

Why it matters

Technical fouls are a point of emphasis for the NBA, which aims to maintain sportsmanship and decorum on the court. Dončić's suspension highlights the enforcement of this rule and the impact it can have on a team's lineup and performance, especially for a star player like Dončić.

The details

Dončić received his 16th technical foul in the 3rd quarter of the Lakers' 116-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets on March 27. He will now serve his one-game suspension on March 30 when the Lakers host the Washington Wizards.

  • Dončić received his 16th technical foul on March 27 in the 3rd quarter of the Lakers vs. Nets game.
  • Dončić will serve his 1-game suspension on March 30 when the Lakers host the Wizards.

The players

Luka Dončić

A star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who has been named to multiple All-NBA teams.

James Jones

The Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations for the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended without pay for an additional game.”

— James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations

What’s next

Dončić will return to the Lakers' lineup after serving his 1-game suspension on March 30.

The takeaway

Dončić's suspension highlights the NBA's strict enforcement of technical foul rules, which aim to promote sportsmanship and decorum on the court. As a star player, Dončić's absence will be felt by the Lakers, underscoring the potential impact of these suspensions on a team's performance.