After Witnessing Luka Doncic’s Playoff Antics, Shaquille O’Neal Draws the Line on Recent Ejection

It is all happening in the West, and no one is ready to leave an inch of space, and rightly so, but the Lakers are very unpredictable lately. Luka Doncic and the Lakers seem to be in control in the 4th quarter with a 1-point lead. With 7:41 remaining on the clock, the Lakers’ superstar hit a mid-range jumper for his team to take the lead 97-98. Right after the moment, the 5x All-Star received an ejection notice for his second technical foul. That changed the momentum as the Thunder chose to pay back, winning 136-120 by adding 39 points in the last quarter. So, was it the Slovenian’s fault for losing his cool? Or did the official get it wrong? Shaquille O’Neal picked a side.

“I don’t want to use the word complain cuz he has a lot of time. Listen, the refs do the best that they can, but you can’t talk to a ref after every play. So was he talking to a ref or fan we don’t know? But because he has a history of always looking back and talking to the ref.” During the recent NBA on TNT episode, Shaq was not a fan of how Luka Doncic handled the situation in the final quarter. That’s when host Adam Lefkoe reminded the Lakers legend that he was present for one of the playoff games last year.

The Big Aristotle acknowledged he was present but, more importantly, wanted the Lakers’ star to be more responsible. “I blame Luka for this because one we need this game you already got one tech leave it alone…We don’t want to mess around and be in the playing series, but again, Luka is known for complaining and talking to the referees. Was he talking to a referee’s? Talking to a fan? Doesn’t matter.”

Shaq didn’t hold back, placing the blame squarely on Luka for the meltdown. With the stakes rising and every game carrying playoff weight, this was one they simply couldn’t afford to lose. Luka, already sitting on a technical, let his emotions spill over once again—arguing, gesturing, caught up in the chaos. Whether he was directing it at a ref or a fan was beside the point; the damage was done. Shaq saw it as a pattern, a flaw in Luka’s otherwise brilliant game—the fire that fuels him also threatens to consume the team when it flares out of control.

The second technical foul that led to the ejection was because he “looked directly at an official and used vulgar language.” However, that was not really the case, as reports later emerged, backing Doncic’s claim of not abusing the officials.

Despite knowing the real victim, Shaquille O’Neal wants Luka Doncic to change

A fan sitting front row couldn’t help himself—he started chirping at Doncic. And Luka? Well, you know Luka. He clapped right back. But here’s the twist: the ref on duty, J.T. Orr, believed Luka directed his anger at him. That’s why the Laker Nation was annoyed at the call as they lost the crucial game. Even LeBron James wasn’t sure what to make of that call and called it “weird”.

via Imago

“I don’t know why the ref was taking it personal. He had already gave Luka one [technical foul] and Luka knew that. Luka was going back and forth at that time with a fan…as Luka does when fans talk…But the ref took it upon himself to think it was versus him…And then the game was just weird as hell after that moment,” said LeBron. Interestingly, the fan himself admitted to his heckling and the ordeal that happened.

Admitting to the fact that he was the one who threw the verbal jab that triggered Luka’s reaction. So, essentially, a courtside heckle led to one of the game’s biggest stars getting tossed. It’s not the first time Doncic has faced ejection during a crucial game. It was the same case during the Finals game 3 last year. That’s why Shaquille O’Neal wants the 26-year-old to bring composure to his game, at least during the time he is talking with the officials.