Luka Doncic ejected from Lakers-Thunder game — for apparently chirping with fan: ‘Weird couple of minutes’
ByChristian Arnold
Published April 9, 2025, 12:56 a.m. ET
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An eager referee handed Luka Doncic a second technical foul during the Lakers’ 136-120 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday night, which ended the star’s night early after official JT Orr thought the Lakers star mouthed off to him.
Nevertheless, it appeared that Doncic was responding to a fan who was sitting courtside.
The Lakers were ahead 108-107 with 7:40 remaining in the fourth quarter after Doncic hit a big jumper.
He appeared to say something to someone who was sitting in the first row, but the ref was quick to T up Doncic.
Doncic reiterated after the game that he was not talking to Orr or the officials with his comments.
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“I never got a fan ejected, never, but if you’re gonna talk, I’m gonna talk back like always,” Doncic said after the Lakers’ loss. “That had nothing to do with the ref.”“It was a weird couple of minutes after that, starting with the ejection,” LeBron James told reporters about the ejection. “I don’t know why the ref was taking it personal. He had already given Luka one [technical] and Luka knew that.
“Luka was going back and forth at that time with a fan sitting courtside. … The ref took it upon himself to think that it was vs. him, whatever the case may be.”
3Luka Doncic pleads with the officials after being ejected during the second half of the Lakers’ 136-120 loss to the Thunder on April 8, 2025.Getty Images
Doncic was shocked, to say the least, when he was given the infraction and clearly could be seen trying to explain to the referee that he was responding to a fan and not directing the comments at the official.
Crew chief Tony Brothers said after the game that Doncic had “looked directly at an official and used vulgar language.”
3Luka Doncic and Lebron James speak to an official during the second half of the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder.Getty Images
Doncic’s first technical foul had come with 4:02 left in the third quarter, and Brothers also said the Lakers star had “directed profanity at a game official.”
Doncic is now at 14 technical fouls this season and two away from triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
3Luka Doncic argues with an official after being given a technical call during the second half of the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder.IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
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As for Tuesday’s game, the Doncic ejection took the wind out of the Lakers’ sails, and the Thunder went on a 28-11 run to end the game and come away with a 136-120 win over Los Angeles.
