The Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic got involved in a heated moment with Brooklyn's Ziaire Williams, leading to share his side of the story.
The Brooklyn Nets hung with the Los Angeles Lakers Friday before a fourth quarter meltdown, losing 116-99 inside Crypto Arena. But that quarter wasn't the only thing that witnessed a "losing your cool" moment.
The other involved Lakers star Luka Doncic and the Nets' Ziaire Williams...leading to a Saturday suspension for the former after collecting his 16th technical foul.
Doncic officially faced a league suspension Saturday. But he stated his case on what led to the tense moment between he and the Brooklyn star, which he shared via Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
"[Williams] was yelling in my face, three times,” Doncic said of his technical. “I just wanted to get out of there."
Doncic added: "It's a double tech, of course. What can I say?"
He denied being the instigator in that heated exchange with Williams.
"I didn't even talk. I just wanted to get out of there," Doncic said.
But he's claiming that his actions are "exaggerated" which involved a shove.
"They said I pushed [him], and that my push was exaggerated, which [it] was obviously not. I don't know what else to tell you," Doncic said.
Meanwhile, ESPN Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin reported the new discipline levied toward the perennial all-star, which is now a one-game suspension.
"A video review showed Doncic pushing Williams and Williams retaliating by swiping at Doncic's face. Both players were called for a technical foul by crew chief Sean Wright," McMenamin wrote.
The Lakers insider adds how: "The suspension will cost Doncic 1/174 of his annual salary, or approximately $264,000."
Doncic also faces higher financial ramifications if he adds another technical.
"For every two additional technical fouls Doncic receives between now and the end of the regular season, he will be automatically suspended for an additional game. The financial penalty will increase to 1/145 of his salary, or approximately $317,000," McMenamin said.
Doncic won't officially be eligible to return until the Tuesday contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, must decide what to do with Williams after the season and if his future involves a return. He's helped carry the scoring load in the absence of Michael Porter Jr. and rookie sharpshooter Egor Demin.
Williams notably sat for most of the fourth quarter. But it had nothing to do with the Doncic incident. Head coach Jordi Fernandez stated he wanted to give the younger guys some action.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!