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Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Miami Heat.
Luka Dončić’s dominant run with the Los Angeles Lakers continued to gain recognition Monday, as the NBA named him Western Conference Player of the Week — just a day after rescinding a technical foul that had threatened his availability.
The league announced Dončić as the Week 22 honoree (March 16–22), marking his second consecutive Western Conference Player of the Week award and his league-leading fourth selection this season. It is also the 19th Player of the Week honor of his career.
The award came on the heels of a pivotal decision by the NBA to overturn Dončić’s 16th technical foul of the season, allowing the Lakers star to avoid an automatic one-game suspension.
Rescinded Technical Clears Way for Continued Run
Dončić had been facing a suspension after being assessed a technical during Saturday’s 105-104 win over the Orlando Magic.
The technical stemmed from a heated exchange with Goga Bitadze late in the third quarter. Officials issued a double technical after determining both players engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct.
Crew chief Marc Davis explained in a pool report that both players had been warned prior to the call.
“Dončić and Bitadze were both assessed technical fouls for their continual taunting of one another,” Davis said in a pool report. “They were both warned to cease their comments… and were correctly assessed technical fouls.”
The Lakers challenged the ruling, arguing that the situation did not warrant a technical. The NBA ultimately agreed, rescinding the foul and resetting Dončić’s technical count — meaning his next technical, not the rescinded one, would trigger a suspension.
Dominant Week Earns Recognition
Dončić’s Player of the Week honor reflects his continued dominance during the Lakers’ recent surge.
He led Los Angeles to a 4-0 record during the week, averaging 42.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists while serving as the focal point of one of the NBA’s most productive offenses.
The performance followed another Player of the Week award the previous week, when Dončić averaged 37.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 11.0 assists while recording two triple-doubles.
His sustained production has fueled the Lakers’ climb in the Western Conference standings and positioned them as one of the hottest teams entering the final stretch of the regular season.
Clutch Play Drives Lakers’ Momentum
Even amid the technical foul controversy, Dončić delivered when it mattered most.
He finished with 33 points and eight assists in the win over Orlando, helping extend the Lakers’ winning streak to nine games.
Dončić has now scored at least 30 points in nine consecutive games, averaging 40.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists over that span — a stretch that has underscored his MVP-caliber impact.
The Lakers have also excelled in clutch situations, consistently executing late in games to maintain their momentum.
Competition and League Recognition
Dončić edged out a competitive field for the weekly honor, including players such as last season’s NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson.
In the Eastern Conference, LaMelo Ball earned Player of the Week honors.
Surging Lakers Eye Higher Seeding With Luka Leading the Way
While the rescinded technical provides immediate relief, Dončić remains one technical foul away from a suspension — adding a layer of urgency as the Lakers continue their push toward the postseason.
For now, however, the focus remains on his performance.
With back-to-back Player of the Week honors and a team riding a nine-game winning streak, Dončić’s impact has been undeniable.
And with the regular season entering its final stretch, his ability to maintain both production and composure could prove decisive for the Lakers’ playoff positioning.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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