Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic said Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze threatened his family during a verbal exchange that led to double technical fouls and Doncic’s 16th technical of the season Saturday night.
The incident occurred late in the third quarter of the Lakers’ 105-104 victory. Doncic was at the free-throw line when words were exchanged with Bitadze. As the teams headed downcourt, both players were assessed technical fouls.
Doncic told reporters afterward that Bitadze said he would “f**k my whole family.”
“At some point, I just can’t stand that. I got to stand up for myself,” Doncic said.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said Bitadze referenced Doncic’s mother in a language the referees could not understand.
“We’ll obviously try to get that rescinded,” Redick said. “I’m not sure what happened. I do know that there were certain things said in a language the referees couldn’t understand in reference to Luka’s mom.”
The 16th technical triggers an automatic one-game suspension under NBA rules unless the league office rescinds it. The Lakers have appealed, and the suspension would be served Monday against the Detroit Pistons if upheld. Doncic finished with 33 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals in the victory.
Bitadze denied the allegation and accused Doncic of making inappropriate remarks about his own mother.
“What Luka said is not the truth,” Bitadze said. “He said something about my mother, which was really inappropriate. We don’t say that stuff.”
The game also marked LeBron James breaking the NBA record for most regular-season games played. The Lakers extended their winning streak to nine.
