Alonzo Adams - Imagn Images
Luka Doncic has always had a bit of a temper on the court. The Los Angeles Lakers guard has been known to get his fair share of technical fouls over the years, often times for complaining to a referee.
On Tuesday, the Lakers took on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a crucial matchup for the Lakers in terms of playoff seeding. Luka got ejected over a confrontation with a fan, and it ultimately may have cost the Lakers the game.
The Lakers have been a bit up-and-down since they traded for Luka Doncic at the beginning of February, as Luka has struggled a bit in terms of efficiency. But, they’ve played their way into contention for the third-seed in the Western Conference. They entered Tuesday with a 1 1/2 game lead for that spot with four games left.
The Lakers were right in the game, and trailed 107-106 midway through the 4th quarter before he scored a go-ahead floater. Then, he appeared to chirp at a fan, and the official believed it was at him, instead. Take a look.
Luka Dončić was talking to a fan and the ref that he was talking to him and Luka gets tossed, this was a horrendous call by the official! pic.twitter.com/tt2Dq0mn59
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) April 9, 2025
After Doncic left the game, the Thunder took complete control, and ended up winning, 136-120. If Luka really was ejected for talking trash to a fan, which ended up being his second technical foul, it was potentially a season-altering call by the official.
Here’s what the pool report had to say about it.
Here is the pool report from tonight's officials on Luka Doncic's ejection: pic.twitter.com/sFHqhhZXfa
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 9, 2025
Some will say that’s a soft reason to take a player like Luka Doncic out of a crucial game, and I agree with that in part. But, on Luka’s part, he has to know better when he’s already been called for one technical foul. That’s probably not the time to be swearing at anyone.
The Lakers still have a one game lead for the third spot. At the same time, they’re only 1 1/2 games ahead of the 7th seeded Warriors, who will have to go through a play-in. The Lakers (48-31) will finish their season with Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas, a home game against the Rockets, and a trip to Portland.