Luka Doncic appealing technical foul to avoid suspension after Nuggets win

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a key 115-107 victory over third-placed Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, improving their record to 26-16 and remaining fifth in the Western Conference. Doncic led the Lakers once again, recording a triple-double with 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Despite the strong performance, the Slovenian guard picked up his 13th technical foul of the season. He is now three technicals away from an automatic one-game suspension, which is triggered at 16. To prevent that, Doncic confirmed he plans to appeal the call.

“I mean, I will try to get that one back, because the only thing I said was, 'I got hit in the arm twice,' and I shouldn’t get a tech for that,” Doncic said after the game.

The outcome of the appeal remains unclear, but Doncic is expected to be available for the upcoming Los Angeles derby against the Clippers on 23 January.

Doncic is enjoying an MVP-level season, leading the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game, along with 7.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists. He recently became the youngest guard in NBA history to reach 14,000 career points and has already recorded six games of 40 or more points this season.

Reflecting on the win in Denver, Doncic said: “I’ve never been a part of a road trip that’s eight games, but it’s definitely very important to get the first one. … The way we stayed together the whole game, it was impressive. And I think that builds us up”.

Despite sitting fifth in the Western Conference, the Lakers remain under pressure, with several teams close behind. Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors are all within a narrow range of wins, meaning the standings could change quickly.

The Lakers’ upcoming schedule includes games against the Clippers (23 January), Dallas Mavericks (25 January), Chicago Bulls (27 January), Cleveland Cavaliers (29 January), and Washington Wizards (31 January).