NBA Makes Decision on Official Who Ejected Luka Doncic

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Owen Crisafulli | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 12:50 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 NBA playoffs. Ahead of the action getting underway, the NBA made a big decision involving a referee who controversially ejected Luka Doncic during one of the Lakers final regular season games.

Doncic was ejected in the fourth quarter of L.A.'s 136-120 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 9 after J.T. Orr handed Doncic his second technical foul of the night. Orr believed that Doncic was trash-talking him, when he was actually talking to a fan, leading to the league rescinding the technical foul called against the Lakers superstar.

"The NBA rescinded the second technical foul Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic received during Tuesday night's loss to the Thunder. The league made the announcement Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Doncic was ejected in the fourth quarter of the 136-120 loss in Oklahoma City," ESPN reported on April 9.

Not every team is playing in the postseason, which means the NBA won't need all of their referees available for these contests. With the stakes higher than ever, the league employs the best of the best for these games, and fans were quick to note that Orr was not part of the crew of 36 referees who will work the first round of the playoffs.

"The NBA today announced the list of 36 officials who have earned spots to work the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google. Below is the list of officials for the first round," NBA Communications shared in a post on X, with Orr notably not among the group of referees selected.

The NBA today announced the list of 36 officials who have earned spots to work the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google. Below is the list of officials for the first round ⬇️

More: https://t.co/fl67w6Gnsp pic.twitter.com/PBtqLIpPVp
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 17, 2025

The Lakers will kick off their playoff campaign against the Timberwolves when they take the court for Game 1 of their series on Saturday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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