NBA Backtracks on Luka Doncic Ruling as Lakers Star Avoids Fine

Luka Doncic had a fan ejected from the Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night after the fan threw a basketball hard at a female referee during the Lakers' 116-103 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Doncic immediately walked toward the official and confronted the fan.

Security escorted the fan out of his courtside seat with 2:35 left in the third quarter.

After the game, Doncic explained what he saw.

"He just tossed it really strong — the ball — toward the ref," Doncic said, via ESPN's Anthony Slater.

"I just asked him what the hell he's doing."

The referee did not appear to take visible offense, but Doncic reacted instantly.

The game was briefly stopped while the fan was removed.

No one was injured, and the Lakers went on to win their seventh game of the season.

Doncic finished with 40 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists on 11-of-23 shooting.

This was Doncic's sixth consecutive game with at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five three-pointers made — an NBA record.

He became the first player in league history to achieve that streak.

Doncic has totaled 408 points in his first eight games played this season.

That is the most points scored in the first eight games of a season since Wilt Chamberlain scored 418 to start the 1962-63 season.

Chamberlain averaged 44.8 points per game that season.

Doncic is currently averaging 38.5 points per game, leading the NBA.

He also leads the league in three-pointers made and ranks third in assists.

His shooting percentages — field goal, three-point, and free throw — are all career highs.

Doncic is shooting 49.5% from the field and 43.1% from three.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick said this stretch is the best basketball he has seen Doncic play.

"Probably this and March," Redick said when asked if this was the hottest he has seen Doncic.

In March 2026, Doncic averaged 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.

He scored 40 or more points in seven of those 16 games, including a Laker-high 60 points against the Miami Heat.

Redick also explained a key change in the Lakers' offense that is fueling Doncic's success.

"He's playing great right now," Redick said.

"And he's doing a great job of playing off the ball. We're trying to set off-ball screens for him. I think some of that workload from bringing the ball up against pressure every single possession, it's just not there right now, and it's very intentional on our part."

Austin Reaves has been handling the ball more often, bringing it up the court and setting up plays for Doncic.

Reaves is averaging a career-high 4.1 turnovers per game as a result.

But the Lakers' offense is among the best in the league, leading the NBA in offensive rating.

Doncic's hot start has put him in the MVP conversation.

The Lakers have not had an MVP winner since Kobe Bryant in the 2007-08 season.

But Doncic's season has also come with discipline issues.

He already has two technical fouls through nine games.

Last season, Doncic accumulated 16 technical fouls, which triggered an automatic one-game suspension.

Players are allowed 15 technical fouls before suspension.

Doncic also risked being ruled ineligible for postseason awards last season because of the total.

He had one technical rescinded to remain eligible for awards consideration.

The NBA has already backtracked on one of his technical fouls this season.

According to multiple reports, the league rescinded a technical foul Doncic received earlier this season, allowing him to avoid a fine.

That decision came amid growing controversy over Doncic's MVP candidacy and his on-court behavior.

Critics, including Bill Simmons, have called out Doncic for complaining to officials.

Simmons compared Doncic to Gordon Ramsay in a recent rant, calling him "insufferable."

A resurfaced video of Barack Obama calling out Simmons' "fantasy" take on Doncic has also gone viral.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr sent a strong message about Doncic after a game between Golden State and the Lakers.