The NBA community knows that Luka Doncic doesn’t always get along with referees. He frequently expresses his frustration with their calls.
During a recent game against the Thunder, Luka once again found himself at the receiving end of a referee’s decision. Thankfully, things didn’t get as serious as before, but the referee still ejected Luka from the game.
The incident happened in the fourth quarter when Luka Doncic made a tough basket and then turned to clap toward a fan in the crowd. He was responding to some trash talk from the sidelines. But what came next shocked everyone—Doncic got a second technical foul and was ejected from the game by referee J.T. Orr.
LUKA EJECTED.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 9, 2025
pic.twitter.com/UpVtMOiHNG
“I never got a fan ejected. Never. I think, let them talk and I’m gonna talk back like always. It had nothing to do with the ref, so I don’t really understand,” Doncic said after the game.
The fan, later recognized as a regular at Thunder games, confirmed that the exchange was all in good fun and wasn’t aimed at the officials.
Shaq O’Neal speaks out on controversial Luka Doncic ejection
After the game, discussions and reactions from Luka, the fans, and commentators clarified that many think it was a misunderstanding. While some took it lightly, others shared an old video of Shaquille O’Neal making a serious remark about referees.
20 years later and this video of Shaq talking about the refs is still relevant
— 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 ♛ (@Igotburners) April 9, 2025
This is for you, Adam Silver pic.twitter.com/R18OuUJH3h
In the video, Shaq says, “David Stern, you wondering why the league is losing money, that’s why. People pay good money to come and watch these athletes play and they (referees) try to take over the f***ing game.”
