Luka Doncic has been given a one-game suspension by the NBA after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season on Sunday.
The Mavericks lost once again in the woeful outing, this time to the Charlotte Hornets, who have the third-worst record in the NBA. The Mavs have been on a woeful stretch as of late, losing their last four games in a row and being 3-7 in their last 10.
During the run they have lost significant ground in their playoff hopes, with the Kyrie Irving trade not looking to have given the team much of a boost - and one they'll likely regret after giving up their first-round pick.
And now, with every game being important with the team needing battling for a playoff spot, they will officially be without their superstar Doncic for one game.
The Slovenian is set to miss their Monday night game against the Pacers, unless the NBA office rescinds the technical foul given to him. Doncic had been arguing with officials throughout the game with a referee having enough and calling a technical on him in the third quarter.
The guard did have an incredible game with 40 points, but it was not enough as the Mavericks fell to another defeat.
Without Doncic on Monday, the team will be in need of a win against Pacers side who they feel they should be capably beating.
Should the Mavs miss the playoffs, it will be unlikely that Irving returns to the team, who is set to become a free agent this summer.
The point guard has done well since being traded to the Mavs, but it has not translated into wins on the court, and is being linked with a move to the Los Angeles Lakers - reuniting him with LeBron James.
