Luka Doncic continues to collect his technical fouls! It’s been a never-ending story with the Slovenian guard and the tradition continues in his new home too, collecting his 11th tech of the season. However, tonight, in the game against the Chicago Bulls, the 26-year-old guard found himself amidst a controversial call, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers fans in disbelief amid the team’s blowout loss. 

The Bulls came to the Crypto.com arena with purpose and it was evident right from the tip-off. The team went in with sheer physicality on both ends. At one point, it went a bit overboard. Around the 6th minute mark in the third quarter, Kevin Huerter, who was battling for an offensive rebound, pushed Luka from behind and dropped an easy layup.

The star guard, surprised by the play, expected a whistle. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any. Going by his usual playbook, Luka Doncic argued with the refs about the play on his way back to the offensive end. He was so much into the argument that he didn’t see Josh Giddey standing on his way to guard him. Guess what? Luka shoved him and this time the whistle was loud and clear.

Hilariously, even after the tech, Luka can be seen arguing with the ref while Lakers coach JJ Redick watched him closely. Well, no one wants their star player to get ejected. Speaking to the refs, he said, “He hits me first, I’m gonna hit him back. That’s bulls—.” Luckily, the ref didn’t take it as a sign to slap another one. Anyway, let’s see how well the fans received it.

Lakers Nation fuming after Luka Doncic’s technical foul

The criticism against the refs isn’t a new affair. It’s a long-pending problem in the NBA world. Most recently, Stephen Curry took an ugly fall to the floor and hurt his back during an offensive play. The replays showed clear evidence of brute physicality. But there was no call from the refs. Well, that has been a longstanding debate with Steph and unfair no-calls under the rim. Similarly, the Lakers fans felt the same way, as one of them wrote, “Absolutely biased. Can’t stand them.“

Another fan candidly said, “Refs can’t do their job, but the second you hurt their feelings, it’s a tech.” Well, it’s always a frustrating feeling for a fan when the refs offer a freebie to the opponents. On top of it, the Bulls have ruined LeBron James’ comeback game, posting a brutal 146-115 win. In the same vein, a fan wrote, “LMAO @NBAOfficial letting these type of s–t slide.” 

The league has interfered whenever it’s necessary. Receiving techs isn’t a new thing for Luka Doncic. In the previous two seasons, the guard had exceeded 16 tech fouls. As per the league’s rules, a player should serve a one-game suspension after collecting fouls. However, the league has the power to verify each foul and rescind it if it is unfair. Luckily, in both seasons, the league rescinded a few calls and helped him evade the suspension. 

Amid this heated debate, a fan brought up a solution, writing, “At this point, why even have human refs anymore? Just play the game without refs.” Well, it would have been a laughable comment a few years back. Now, with the advancement of AI, the league can give it a thought. What do you think? 

Contrastingly, a fan stood out from the crowd and dropped a different viewpoint. They wrote, “Stop lying, a tech was long due, he has been shouting and getting in refs faces all game. Now elbows giddy in front of the reff too.” True, the elbow shove on Giddey was tech-worthy, but the missed call on the previous possession was also controversial. Nevertheless, it is what it is. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.