Lakers' Luka Doncic Suspended After 16th Technical Foul

Head coach JJ Redick comments on Doncic's suspension and his impact on the team.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:51am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented forms of basketball players in motion, with sharp lines and overlapping planes of color capturing the intensity of the game.Doncic's suspension exposes the fine line NBA stars must walk to avoid technical fouls and keep their teams on track for the playoffs.Oklahoma City Today

Los Angeles Lakers star guard Luka Doncic has been suspended for one game after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season. Doncic was assessed a double technical along with Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams during the Lakers' win over the Nets on Friday. Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who was Doncic's teammate in Dallas, addressed the suspension, saying Doncic is disappointed to miss the game but is not a player who takes games off due to injury or other reasons.

Why it matters

Doncic is a crucial part of the Lakers' lineup as they push for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. His absence against the struggling Washington Wizards is less consequential, but the Lakers will need him back for their upcoming games against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder and his former team, the Dallas Mavericks.

The details

Doncic was assessed his 16th technical foul of the season in the third quarter of the Lakers' win over the Nets on Friday. He lightly shoved Nets forward Ziaire Williams, leading to a double technical. Doncic told reporters after the game that Williams was 'yelling in my face three times' and he just wanted to 'get out of there.' The NBA announced Doncic's one-game suspension on Saturday, ruling him out of Monday's game against the Wizards.

  • Doncic received his 16th technical foul on March 29, 2026.
  • The NBA announced Doncic's one-game suspension on March 30, 2026.
  • Doncic will miss the Lakers' game against the Wizards on April 1, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

An All-NBA and All-Star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who is closing in on his second career NBA scoring title, averaging 33.7 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game this season.

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers who previously played with Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks in the 2020-21 season before retiring as a player.

Ziaire Williams

A forward for the Brooklyn Nets who was involved in the incident with Doncic that led to the double technical foul.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I mean, he's disappointed. He wants to be there for his teammates. Again, I've talked about this all year: he plays. Like, he's not a guy that takes games off. He can get banged up, and he's gonna play. He was like that when I was his teammate in Dallas.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers

“He was yelling in my face three times. I just wanted to get out of there. It's a double tech, of course. What can I say? I didn't even talk. I just wanted to get out of there. They said I push — my push was exaggerated, which [it] was obviously not. I don't know what else to tell you, man.”

— Luka Doncic

What’s next

Doncic will be eligible to return when the Lakers host the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026. His return will be crucial as the Lakers prepare for the playoffs.

The takeaway

Doncic's suspension highlights the fine line NBA players must walk to avoid technical fouls, which can lead to suspensions at inopportune times. The Lakers will need to ensure Doncic stays composed as they make their playoff push, as his on-court leadership and production are vital to their success.