The Los Angeles Lakers fell 136-120 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a game that saw Luka Doncic ejected following a contentious call. However, the NBA announced this afternoon that Doncic’s second technical foul, issued during the fourth quarter, has been overturned after a detailed review by the league.
The incident occurred after Doncic made a basket to narrow the Thunder’s lead to just one point. While heading back on defense, he appeared to exchange words with a fan. Referee J.T. Orr interpreted the interaction as being directed at him, leading to Doncic’s second technical foul and subsequent ejection. Postgame, Orr clarified his reasoning: “looking directly at an official and using vulgar language“.
Without Doncic on the floor, the Lakers struggled to keep pace with OKC, who capitalized on the absence of their star player to pull away for the win. But the uncertainty remains about what could have happened if the referees hadn’t ejected Doncic from the game.
The league issued an official statement this afternoon, confirming its decision to rescind the technical foul. “Luka Doncic’s (LAL) technical foul at 7:40 of the 4th quarter on 4/8/25 (vs. OKC) has been rescinded upon league office review,” the NBA announced.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers pleads with the officials after being ejected during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Doncic prepares for emotional return to Dallas
Despite the frustration of his ejection against the Thunder, Doncic has little time to dwell on the incident as he gears up for a highly anticipated game: his return to the American Airlines Center to face his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, two months after being traded.
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After the OKC game, Doncic opened up about his long-awaited return to Dallas to face the Mavericks, describing the emotions he expects to feel when stepping back onto the court where he built his legacy.
“Of course, it’s gonna be a lot of emotions. I don’t know what to expect,” Doncic said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I don’t know how I’m going to feel. I’m looking forward to being back in Dallas, seeing the fans, seeing my teammates… Ex-teammates. It’s going to be very emotional for me for sure”.
