NBA Rescinds Doncic’s Ejection Following Controversial Technical Fouls

Los Angeles, CA — The NBA announced on April 9, 2025, that it has rescinded the second technical foul assessed to Luka Dončić during the previous night’s contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Dončić was ejected from the game during the fourth quarter after the referee misinterpreted his words as directed at him rather than a courtside fan.

With 7:40 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Lakers leading 108-107, referee J.T. Orr issued a second technical foul to Dončić, resulting in his ejection. Dončić later clarified that he was engaged in friendly banter with a fan, not addressing the officiating crew. “I never got a fan ejected. If they’re going to talk, I’m going to talk back, like always,” Dončić explained. “That had nothing to do with the ref. I didn’t really understand.”

The incident shifted the momentum of the game significantly. After Dončić left the court, the Thunder surged ahead, finishing the game on a 29-12 run to win 136-120. Crew chief Tony Brothers maintained that Dončić had used vulgar language toward officials. Upon reviewing the situation, it appears there was a misunderstanding regarding Dončić’s comments.

Jeremy Price, the fan in question known as “The Courtside Tattoo Dude,” corroborated Dončić’s account, stating that he merely commented on Dončić’s missed shot, prompting a playful response from the Lakers star. “Luka was going back and forth, and the ref took it upon himself to think it was versus him,” Price remarked.

The Lakers, who are currently vying for a playoff position and hold the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, felt the impact of Dončić’s ejection keenly. Head coach JJ Redick expressed disappointment over the officiating, noting, “It was a great game that unfortunately didn’t finish out the way every basketball fan would want because of some decision-making on some individuals’ parts.”

Totaling 14 technical fouls for the season prior to this incident, Dončić now avoids a one-game suspension, as the rescindment moves him further from the threshold. The Lakers’ chances for a postseason spot hinge on their ability to secure wins in the coming games. Lesser competition stands in the way with a matchup against the Mavericks scheduled for later this week, marking Dončić’s return to Dallas after a significant trade.

As he prepares for this highly anticipated game, Dončić reflected on his emotions returning to the city where he once drove the team to success, stating, “There’s going to be a lot of emotion for me. I’m looking forward to being back in Dallas, obviously, with the fans, seeing my teammates—ex-teammates. It’s going to be very emotional for me, for sure.”