Lakers’ Luka Doncic already playing with fire after doing something that suspended him last season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers are ready to be led by Luka Doncic after LeBron James left this summer to join the Philadelphia 76ers. Doncic is entering his third season with the organization and is looking to lead the Lakers on a deep playoff run.
Recently, the superstar opened up about his struggles last season, admitting that it was difficult not being able to see his kids throughout the season.
“I didn’t see them almost the whole season. Yea I can’t go another season like that. You wanna spend time with your kids everyday. So last season was pretty hard. I saw them for 5 days in the whole season which is impossible to do. But you know I had to focus on basketball,” Doncic said.
Last season, Doncic accumulated too many technical fouls and was ultimately suspended for one game.
“Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has been suspended one game for receiving his 16th technical foul in Friday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, the NBA announced on Saturday. Doncic will serve the suspension during Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards. Doncic and Nets forward Ziaire Williams were assessed double techs with 5:12 remaining in the third quarter of Friday’s game after jostling with each other following an offensive foul called on Doncic,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote.
As of Thursday night, Doncic may already be facing another issue with technical fouls this season. He was assessed one against the Sacramento Kings during the preseason.
“Annnnnnnnd we have a preseason technical foul on Luka Doncic. You may recall Luka getting suspended for techs last spring,” The Athletic’s Law Murray wrote.
Doncic is already starting to play with fire as he continues to argue with officials. The good news is that preseason technical fouls do not count toward the regular-season total, so he may be getting his frustrations out now.
However, Doncic cannot afford to get suspended during the regular season because of technical fouls. It is a dangerous game to play, especially with the entire team built around him for the next several years.