Lakers' Luka Doncic Ejected in Loss to Thunder as NBA Ref Cites 'Vulgar Language'

Luka Dončić had an earlier-than-expected exit from Tuesday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Los Angeles Lakers star picked up his second technical foul of the night with just under eight minutes to play in a tight game. His first technical came in the third quarter after he argued with the officials following a no-call.

It's unclear what Dončić said to earn the second technical, but he appeared to be telling the official that his words were directed toward the crowd rather than at the referee.

The fan who had the exchange with Dončić, Jeremy Price, explained what happened after the game.

“During the game within the game, I mentioned that he was short and he missed it and he turned around and he shot an explicative back and J.T. [Orr] happened to see it and that point, T’d him up," Price said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Crew Chief Tony Brothers told the Associated Press' Cliff Brunt that Dončić was given the first technical because he "directed profanity at a game official" and was assessed the second because "he looked directly at an official and used vulgar language" (h/t The Athletic's Jovan Buha).

Dončić has been known to get into it with officials throughout his career, and it's led to him amassing a number of technicals over the years. Last season, he led the league in techs with 19, and he's tied with Jayson Tatum and Trae Young for the fifth-most technicals with 14 this year.

Dončić's exit proved to be costly for Los Angeles on Tuesday. It was a one-point game when he was tossed at the 7:40 mark in the fourth, but the Thunder proceeded to run away with the game and win 136-120. Dončić finished with 23 points and five assists.

His ejection came at a costly moment for the Lakers as they could have clinched a playoff berth with a win. They're still sitting in third place at 48-31 following the loss, but with how tight things are in the West, they can't afford many more losses.

The No. 3 seed and the No. 8 seed in the West are separated by just two games, meaning a losing skid to end the year could see Los Angeles have to fight for a postseason spot through the play-in tournament.

Luckily for the Lakers, the matchup with the Thunder was probably the toughest game they'll have for the rest of the year. They'll have matchups with the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers to round out the season.

As long as Dončić can avoid any more ejections, they should be able to pick up a few wins and punch a ticket to the postseason.