“Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2025-26 season, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” the NBA stated in an official release.

With tonight’s absence, Doncic will miss his 13th game of the season, having previously sat out 12 contests due to injury management. A notable detail of today’s suspension is that it will cost him roughly $264,000 in lost pay, as a player suspended for their 16th technical foul forfeits 1/174 of their annual salary.

Doncic explains his 16th technical foul

During the Lakers‘ 116-99 victory over the Nets, Doncic was involved in a heated exchange with Ziaire Williams after the Brooklyn forward celebrated an offensive foul called against the Lakers star.

Seconds after Williams’ celebration, Doncic pushed the Nets forward, triggering a confrontation between both players. After a video review, the official assessed double technical fouls, marking Doncic’s 16th of the season and triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

“[Williams] was yelling in my face, three times. I just wanted to get out of there. It’s a double tech, of course. What can I say? I didn’t even talk,” Doncic told reporters following the win. “I just wanted to get out of there. They said I pushed [him], and that my push was exaggerated, which [it] was obviously not. I don’t know what else to tell you”.

The suspension comes at the right time for Doncic

There is no doubt that Doncic is the Lakers’ best player and the undisputed leader of the team. Throughout the season, the Slovenian star has delivered an MVP-caliber performance, averaging a league-leading 33.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 62 games.

However, the Lakers are set to face the Wizards (17-58), a team currently sitting just one win above the Indiana Pacers at the bottom of the standings. This provides a timely opportunity for Doncic to rest during the final stretch of the regular season as the team prepares for the playoffs, where the Lakers are on the verge of officially clinching their postseason spot.

The outburst will prove costly for the Slovenian star. Under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, a player suspended for their 16th technical foul forfeits $1/174th of their annual base salary.

With Doncic earning $46 million this season, the one-game absence results in a roughly $264,000 hit to his paycheck.

While the loss of Doncic is a significant blow to the Lakers‘ backcourt, the suspension is limited to a single game; he is eligible to return to the active roster immediately following the contest in D.C.

Lakers depth tested

The suspension of Doncic comes at a difficult time for Los Angeles, as the training staff continues to manage a crowded injury tent.

Three other key contributors have already been ruled out for Monday against the Wizards: Marcus Smart (G): OUT – Right ankle contusion, Adou Thiero (F): OUT – Knee injury, Maxi Kleber (F/C): OUT – Back injury.

Projected starting five for the Lakers

With the roster depleted, head coach JJ Redick (or your 2026 coach) will likely lean on Austin Reaves to handle point guard duties. Here is how the Lakers are expected to line up against the Wizards:

• PG: Austin Reaves
• SG: Luke Lennard
• SF: Jake LaRavia
• PF: LeBron James
• C: Deandre Ayton

While Nowitzki acknowledged that this latest deal provides the franchise with future financial flexibility, he noted that Dallas likely could have commanded a higher return.

“I think the Mavs fans are happy with this; I think they didn’t want to be reminded of what happened a year ago in the Luka trade,” Nowitzki said on NBA on Prime. “To me, looking at this deal, there’s not a lot that came back in terms of picks or players, so this is all about financial flexibility for the future…”

In the eight-player swap, the Mavericks sent Davis alongside D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum to D.C. In return, Dallas received Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-rounders.

While many fans are relieved to move on from the veteran big man, Nowitzki admitted he was disappointed the pairing of Davis and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg was cut short. “I’m a little disappointed, obviously. I think when AD actually played with Cooper, they played off each other really well. That was a solid combo, but we’ll never know,” the NBA Hall of Famer added.

Anthony Davis on the Wizards’ potential

The Wizards have struggled to find their footing in recent years, failing to qualify for the postseason since 2021. This season has been no different, as Washington currently sit with a disappointing 14-37 record, effectively ending their playoff aspirations.

However, Davis believes that with a few personnel adjustments, the Wizards could emerge as a force in the Eastern Conference next season. “Obviously, it’s tough right now with the team,” Davis said. “It shows with their record, but adding certain pieces—that can change. It’s year by year. They could be the No. 1 team in the East next year”.

If Davis can remain healthy—a challenge that limited him to just 29 games in Dallas—the Wizards could boast a formidable lineup. A healthy Davis paired with Trae Young and a young core featuring Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson suggests the Wizards could be poised for a significant leap in 2027.

“The Dallas Mavericks are trading 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum, to the Washington Wizards. In return, the Mavericks will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-round picks,” Charania announced on his X account.

With these notable additions to both rosters, the Mavericks and Wizards are now refining their lineups for the remainder of the season. As they face multiple challenges ahead, which include matchups against various competitors, they are unified by one clear objective on the horizon: securing a spot in the NBA playoffs.

Mavericks’ updated lineup

With four fresh additions to their roster for the remainder of the season, the Mavericks will feature the following updated lineup:

• Ryan Nembhard
• Klay Thompson
• Khris Middleton
• Cooper Flagg
• Dereck Lively II

Wizards’ updated lineup

With Davis joining the squad, the Wizards have made significant adjustments ahead of the remainder of the season. Their updated lineup for the forthcoming challenges includes:

• Trae Young
• Tre Johnson
• Kyshawn George
• Anthony Davis
• Alex Sarr

During his introductory press conference with the Wizards, the 27-year-old point guard said he was motivated to make an impact alongside his new teammates. Young acknowledged that his role had evolved, moving from being one of the younger stars in Atlanta to becoming a veteran presence for a developing roster.

“Just being able to have an impact on my teammates,” Young said. “I feel like I did a good job of that as a young player in Atlanta, so now being able to be a vet with these young guys here is something I really value.”

The Wizards currently feature a young core led by Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Alex Sarr. For the four-time All-Star, landing in Washington represented an opportunity to help guide a group still searching for consistency and long-term direction.

The situation of Trae Young

Unfortunately, Trae Young has been dealing with a quad injury that has kept him sidelined for most of the 2025–26 season. While he has yet to make his on-court debut with the Wizards, there has been growing optimism, as he has been listed as day-to-day in recent updates.

The Wizards have had to wait for a guard who owns career averages of 25.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three-point range. His eventual return is expected to provide a significant boost at the point guard position.

After several seasons of limited postseason success in Atlanta, Young now faces a critical stretch in his NBA career. With a new environment and a leadership role awaiting him, he must prove that his best basketball is still ahead as the Wizards continue building toward the future.

This bittersweet moment unfolded on Monday night against the Wizards, a team that has struggled in the early stages of the regular season. Cunningham joined the ranks of Jordan as the only two players in NBA history to record 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, 10+ assists, and 5+ steals in a single game. However, he also surpassed Bryant by missing more than 30 shots in a single game.

Despite these dramatic moments, the silver lining for Cunningham and the Pistons was the victory, as Detroit boasts an impressive 9-2 record at the onset of the regular season. This success ignites hope among the Pistons’ fan base, dreaming to achieve great things in the playoffs.

Cunningham’s leadership, alongside Dennis Jenkins, who excelled against the Wizards by scoring 24 points in 34 minutes, has generated considerable excitement among Eastern Conference teams. The Pistons currently top the standings, enjoying a comfortable lead over the New York Knicks.

Cunningham’s stellar stats this regular season

As the Pistons’ star continues to make headlines with his outstanding performance, his statistics are drawing attention within the Eastern Conference, providing insight into why the Pistons have enjoyed such a successful start to the season.

Leading the league in games played so far (11), Cunningham has averaged 27.5 points per game, along with 9.9 assists in 37 minutes of playing time per game. On Monday night, Cunningham played 45 minutes, nearly scoring one point for every minute he was on the court.

Other key contributors to the Pistons’ strong start

Undeniably, Cunningham is spearheading the team in nearly every statistical category. Yet, the cohesion within the Pistons is fueled by the consistent performance of their starting lineup. Alongside Jalen Duren, Ron Holland, Duncan Robinson, and Javonte Green, Cunningham and the Pistons are enjoying an excellent start this season.

Significantly, Duren has been contributing 19 points per game, ranking second-highest on the team, while also securing 12 rebounds per matchup. Given these dynamics, the fan base holds high expectations for a team that is catching everyone off guard in the NBA.

Klay Thompson was officially ruled out for the Mavericks’ game against the Wizards due to illness, according to Joey Mistretta. This marks the first game the veteran guard has missed this season.

In addition to Thompson’s absence, the Mavericks are short-handed in the frontcourt. Dereck Lively II remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford are both listed as questionable for the game against Washington.

Thompson has appeared in nine games this season, averaging just about 20 minutes per contest — a career low. He’s posting 7.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 31.6 percent from the field, 26.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 100 percent from the free-throw line.

Thompson’s struggles with the Mavericks

Klay Thompson is going through one of the toughest stretches of his career, possibly his worst, although it’s still early in the season. His numbers have dipped significantly, but history suggests that Thompson tends to find his rhythm as the NBA regular season progresses.

Still, things are far from smooth in Dallas. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and the front office are reportedly exploring potential trades involving Thompson to gauge his market value.

Several teams are said to be monitoring the situation closely, as Thompson’s veteran leadership and elite shooting could make a major difference for a contender. To make matters more complicated, head coach Jason Kidd benched Thompson during the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies — a move that raised plenty of eyebrows and added more uncertainty to his role in Dallas.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Mavericks have ruled out Anthony Davis (left calf strain) for tonight’s matchup in Washington.

The former Lakers star joins a growing list of unavailable players: Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain), Klay Thompson (illness) and Dante Exum (right knee injury management) are all out for tonight.

Davis has missed the last four games for the Mavericks, having sustained the calf strain in the team’s last victory (October 29th against the Pacers) where he played only seven minutes. His absence has created a significant problem for Jason Kidd, as the team has not won since the big man was sidelined.

Despite the time missed, Davis remains the leading contributor for the Mavericks, averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 52% from the field.

Mavericks need to reverse early struggles

The season clearly has not begun as the Mavericks had hoped, despite securing rookie Cooper Flagg with the first pick of the NBA Draft. Flagg has delivered strong performances, averaging 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

However, the team has been heavily struck by the injury bug again, suffering initial absences from Daniel Gafford, followed by the injuries to Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II.

Thursday’s injury report from the NBA shows that Chet Holmgren will miss the Thunder’s game against the Wizards, marking his second consecutive absence due to back soreness. His injury leaves a notable void in Oklahoma City’s lineup as they look to maintain their dominance.

Despite Holmgren’s absence, the Thunder improved to 5-0 with a 107-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings, their first home game since raising the championship banner on opening night. The team has demonstrated depth and resilience, proving they can win without their star big man.

Holmgren was performing at an All-Star level before his back flared up. He was averaging 23.0 points on 56.9/41.7/85.7 shooting splits, 10.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, showing elite production on both ends of the floor.

Injury challenges in Oklahoma City

Holmgren had played in the first four games of the season, including the first leg of an away/home back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks, before being sidelined. The Thunder also await season debuts from Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe, while Kenrich Williams (knee surgery) and rookie Nikola Topic, Oklahoma City’s 2024 first-round pick, remain out after missing last season due to a torn ACL.

Holmgren’s improvement from last season

The early-season numbers highlight a significant improvement from Holmgren’s first four games last year, where he averaged 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game. Even in this small sample size, the leap in performance underscores his development as a dominant two-way player.

Oklahoma City will need contributions from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Aaron Wiggins, and other core players to carry the team against the Wizards. While Holmgren’s absence is a challenge, the Thunder have shown the depth and cohesion to remain competitive.

Looking ahead, Holmgren’s return will be closely monitored, with the team prioritizing his long-term health as they chase another strong NBA season in the Western Conference.

After a disappointing last season, the Wizards are eager to revitalize their regular-season performance. To achieve this, they are enhancing their roster with top-tier talent while retaining the valuable experience of players who have contributed in pivotal moments.

With several players exiting the franchise ahead of the new season, the Wizards are poised for a significant turnaround. In a strategic move, the team has decided to bring back a familiar face, re-signing veteran forward Anthony Gill.

“The Wizards are signing Anthony Gill to a one-year contract after waiving him earlier this offseason,” NBA insider Brett Siegel reported, with the news first broke by Clutch Points’ Mike A. Scotto.

This re-signing offers Gill another opportunity to prove himself. Although he has spent five years with the Wizards, his impact has not met expectations, leading to his earlier release. However, following a series of trades and transactions, the Wizards see value in retaining him for the upcoming season.

During his time in the NBA with the Wizards, Gill appeared in 230 games, averaging 9.4 minutes per game. He recorded 3.4 points, 0.5 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and started in just 15 games.

Now 32, Gill’s playoff contributions have been minimal, with participation in just four postseason games without scoring during the 2020-21 season, his sole playoff run with Washington over the last five years.

The Wizards are determined to shake off their recent struggles and make a strong return next season. With Gill given a second chance, the hope is that he will provide the impetus needed to make a significant impact on the team’s performance.

According to reporter Chris Fedor, the future of Dean Wade remains uncertain. The Cavaliers are interested in keeping him, but due to salary cap constraints, they may be forced to let him go if they want to avoid falling into the NBA’s second tax bracket.

The 28-year-old power forward/center is entering the final year of a three-year deal with Cleveland, earning roughly $6.6 million. However, he may not finish out the contract with the team. “The current belief is Wade likely wouldn’t return,” Fedor wrote.

During the 2024–25 season, Wade started in 30 of the 59 games he played for the Cavaliers. He recorded career highs in rebounds (4.2) and assists (1.3) over his six seasons in the NBA. However, his scoring output remains modest at 5.4 points per game, close to his career-best of 6.0 in 2020–21.

Despite being a useful contributor, the Cavs clearly do not view Wade as a core piece. Given their potential need to trim salary to stay under the cap, he appears to be one of the likely candidates to be moved.

In this context, Wade may have a future with another franchise, as there’s reported interest from teams in both conferences. According to Hoops Wire, the Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards are considered the most likely suitors.

Among them, the Mavs have reportedly “been fans for a few years,” according to Fedor. Though they already have several frontcourt players—such as Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Dwight Powell—they could benefit from Wade’s defensive versatility and depth.

At this stage, however, no concrete offers appear to have materialized. “Several opposing scouts have told… that their general managers have an interest in Wade — and could make a run at him now that the free agency dust has cleared. The scouts did not know if those GMs had yet called the Cavs,” Hoops Wire reported, suggesting this story is just beginning to unfold.