Lakers' Luka Doncic Avoids Suspension After 16th Technical Foul Rescinded

The NBA rescinded the technical foul Doncic received against the Magic, allowing him to play in the next game against the Pistons.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:24pm

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Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers avoided a one-game suspension after the NBA rescinded the technical foul he received during the team's victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night. Doncic had picked up his 16th technical foul of the season, which would have resulted in an automatic suspension, but the league office announced on Sunday that the technical was rescinded, putting Doncic back at 15 for the year and making him eligible to play in the Lakers' next game against the Detroit Pistons.

Why it matters

Doncic is a key player for the Lakers, who are on a nine-game winning streak, so his availability is crucial for the team's continued success. The rescission of the technical foul also highlights the NBA's willingness to review and overturn calls when warranted, ensuring that players are not unfairly penalized.

The details

Doncic received the technical foul after a verbal exchange with Magic center Goga Bitadze during the third quarter of Saturday's game. Doncic claimed Bitadze said he would "f--- my whole family" in Serbian, while Bitadze said he was just responding to what Doncic had said about his own family. The officials assessed double technical fouls to both players, but the NBA later determined that Doncic's technical was unwarranted and rescinded it.

  • Doncic received the technical foul during the third quarter of the Lakers' game against the Magic on Saturday, March 22, 2026.
  • The NBA announced the rescission of the technical foul on Sunday, March 23, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

A star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who was facing a potential one-game suspension due to accumulating 16 technical fouls this season.

Goga Bitadze

A center for the Orlando Magic who was involved in the verbal exchange with Doncic that led to the technical foul.

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What they’re saying

“He said at the free throw, he would f--- my whole family,”

— Luka Doncic

“It was nothing toward his family or anybody. His family, I really, truly respect them, and that's pretty much it. I'm a fan of his game and don't want to look like it was directed to his family or anything. It was just in the heat of the moment. I heard what he said ,and I felt like I had to respond the same way. So, from my side, if he feels like I said something too much or crossed the line, I apologize as a man. I can take [accountability], but I didn't say anything but what he said.”

— Goga Bitadze

What’s next

The Lakers will face the Detroit Pistons on Monday, March 24, 2026, with Luka Doncic available to play after the NBA's decision to rescind his technical foul.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the NBA's commitment to ensuring fair play and protecting star players from unfair suspensions, even in the heat of competitive moments. The league's willingness to review and overturn calls demonstrates its dedication to upholding the integrity of the game.