The Dallas Mavericks will be without Luka Doncic for the last game of the season after their star lost his composure too many times.
Doncic was awarded his 16th technical foul of the season during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Officials hit Doncic with the tech between the first and second quarters after he questioned them about the lack of a foul after being hit in the shoulder in a buzzer hit.
Doncic can avoid one-game suspension if the NBA overturns the post-game technical foul.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Doncic told a Mavericks PR rep, “I asked him, ‘Why isn’t that a foul? Why isn’t that a foul?’ He picked me up. That’s unfair. That’s unfair.”
Technical fouls have been a recurring problem for Doncic, who has earned a reputation for frequently arguing with officials over fouls, or lack thereof. He admitted it was a problem hitting 15 techs last season and conceded he “complained way too much,” according to MacMahon:
“I know it,” said Doncic. “It’s something I shouldn’t do. [It’s difficult] with all the emotions in games, but of course I have to stop. It’s just hard for me on the pitch with all the emotions, but I realize it and have to work on it. It’s hard to do, but I have to work at it and be a lot better than that.”
Doncic managed to avoid such a suspension after saying so last season but wasn’t so lucky this season.
The Mavericks final could be important
The Mavericks’ final game of the season comes against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, and some playoff ramifications remain.
Assuming they do well against the Blazers, the fourth-place Mavericks will be a half game behind the Golden State Warriors, who still have games against the Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans on their schedule. The Mavericks hold the tie break against the Warriors.
Just as importantly, the Utah Jazz went a half-game ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the West No. 5 on Friday, so both the third and fourth and fifth and sixth seeds in the West could be swapped out, depending on, as is the case season plays.
Luka Doncic is threatened with a one-game suspension for his technical fouls. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)