Luka Doncic indicated last week that he was aware that he has been a little out of control emotionally this year. With 16 technical fouls and a mandatory one-game suspension on the horizon, he seemed to pledge to do better.
How did he follow that up?
By hitting Collin Sexton in the groin when the pair got tangled while attempting to secure a rebound.
Call it a night for Luka.
Dončić was ejected after hitting Collin Sexton.
🎥 @BleacherReportpic.twitter.com/8PtbdeQuUV
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 10, 2021
For his troubles, Doncic was assessed a Flagrant 2 and ejected. Because it was a Flagrant 2, his stunning accumulation of technical was not impacted – but many are calling for a suspension anyway.
Below the belt contact is very much a no-no in the NBA today, and there is a growing sentiment that Doncic should be made an example out of.
Luka starting to do douche bag stuff. If league don’t suspend him I’m chalking it up that they just scared of Cuban https://t.co/grq0TouGYP
— CL Owens © (@CSmoove_Sports) May 10, 2021
Just saw the Luka Doncic flagrant. Holy shit lol. Suspend that man for life. Gosh dang Collin Sexton is different. You know Sexton would never lie down but fuck. Maybe Doncic got more groin than Nets but still… fuck
— Mr. Insider()(Danny Green’s fan) (@MrInsider6) May 10, 2021
Luka said it wasn’t on purpose, however, by making a fist on the down-swing right before impact it makes me think the punch was intentional.
I’m a HUGE Luka fan, but the @NBA has to suspend him for that action.
— CLEVELAND ROCKS (@CLEVELOVE1) May 10, 2021
Sexton’s attitude issues are a matter of public record, but Doncic’s act cannot be condoned regardless.
This has been a rough year for Doncic as well. After coming into the season as the early MVP frontrunner, he showed up fat and out of shape. From there it has been one disappointment after another, culminating in a beef with teammate Kristaps Porzingis.
That’s one way to do it. https://t.co/FPdnapbQPX
— Game 7 (@game7__) May 10, 2021
And now he’s lashing out in particularly inappropriate ways, as evidenced by his act against Sexton.
Will the league ultimately suspend Doncic? Time will tell. But at the moment, it doesn’t look like it. And the precedent for letting things like this go was set earlier this year when one player literally broke another’s wrist and faced no real consequences for it.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
