The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in a tight game decided by a game-winning shot from guard Luke Kennard.

During the third quarter, Lakers guard Luka Doncic was assessed a technical foul following an exchange with Magic center Goga Bitadze while the two ran down the court. Doncic was reportedly chirping at Bitadze.

Doncic addressed the incident after the game. "I'm definitely hoping [it is rescinded]," he said. "Obviously, I let my team down getting that last tech. But honestly, I wasn't trying to. [Bitadze] said at the free throw, he would f--- my whole family. And at some point, this is a basketball court. At some point, I just can't stand it. I got to stand up for myself. But I know I got to do better. My teammates, I know they have my back, so I let them down today. But hopefully, it gets rescinded."[1]

Bitadze offered his perspective, stating Doncic cursed at him in Serbian, which he repeated back. "I have all the respect for Luka and what he has done," Bitadze said. "And I really respect everybody's family. Where I come from, it's really sacred and we really respect each other's families, and I would never directly say that. He just said some inappropriate things in the Serbian language, which, I played in Serbia, I understand. I don't know if he knew I understood what he said. So, I just said it back. And it was nothing toward his family or anybody. His family, I really, truly respect them."[1]

The game took place at Kia Center, the Orlando Magic's home arena in Orlando, Florida.[1]

Luka Doncic is a Slovenian guard noted for his scoring, passing, and All-NBA performances. Goga Bitadze is a Georgian center who has played professionally including time in Serbia. Luke Kennard is an American guard known for his three-point shooting.[1]

Under NBA rules, players face escalating fines for technical fouls, with a one-game suspension triggered upon reaching 16 technicals in the regular season. Doncic is seeking to have the call rescinded to avoid potential discipline.[1]

Sources

1. NBA.com, Player profiles and Kia Center information, Accessed October 2024, https://www.nba.com/