Mavericks’ Luka Dončić Facing 1-Game Suspension After Getting 16th Technical Foul

Luka Dončić will miss Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers after earning his 16th technical foul of the 2022-23 NBA season.

The four-time All-Star was whistled for a technical in the third quarter of Sunday’s contest with the Charlotte Hornets. As long as the decision stands, he’ll be subject to a one-game suspension.

The Mavs will hope the league displays some mercy because they can ill afford to be without their best player for even one game at this point.

Dallas entered Sunday in 11th place (36-38) in the Western Conference. Acquiring Kyrie Irving hasn’t had its intended effect, with the team hovering on the fringe of the play-in tournament.

The current slide has worn on Dončić, who also alluded to a source of off-court strife when speaking with reporters Friday.

Should they fall to the Hornets, the Mavericks could fall a full game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 10th seed. The Thunder face the Damian Lillard-less Portland Trail Blazers on the road Sunday night.

Dončić being suspended would present Dallas with another setback when it desperately needs to start building some momentum.