Mavs’ Luka Doncic Receives 16th Technical; Suspension Coming?

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic was called for his 16th technical of the 2022-23 NBA season, which would result in a suspension if it's not rescinded.

CHARLOTTE — During the third quarter of the Dallas Mavericks' matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, Luka Doncic was whistled for a technical foul after voicing his frustrations to an official after not receiving a foul call on a missed layup. 

Doncic's latest technical foul is his 16th of the season, which puts him at the NBA's limit for an automatic one-game suspension. The possibility remains that an appeal could result in the technical foul being rescinded. 

Barring the NBA rescinding Doncic's technical foul, he would be suspended for Monday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers. With the Mavs entering Sunday's game on the outside of the Western Conference play-in picture, losing Doncic due to a suspension would be a tough obstacle to overcome.

After missing time due to injury, Doncic had gone weeks since receiving his 15th technical foul of the season. He received that tech on Mar. 8 during the team's 113-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Last season, Doncic had nearly been suspended for the Mavs' regular season finale after being called for what was his 16th technical foul in the previous game. The NBA rescinded the call, enabling him to participate in the game. 

It has been a challenge for the Mavs to have many games with both Doncic and Kyrie Irving available to play since the team made the midseason trade to form the NBA's only tandem consisting of All-Star starters.

If Doncic is unable to play against the Pacers due to suspension, it would mean the Mavs would have been without either Doncic or Irving for 10 of the 20 games they will have played since the midseason trade. 

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