Overview
- In the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena, Luka Dončić was assessed a technical foul after arguing a no-call with referee Jonathan Sterling.
- As Dončić protested, Hornets play-by-play announcer Eric Collins said, "This guy is a whiner," and noted it was Dončić’s 11th technical of the season.
- The exchange coincided with a defensive lapse and a four-point sequence that helped Charlotte pull away in a 135-117 victory despite Dončić’s 39 points.
- Video of Collins’s on-air remark circulated widely on social media, fueling broader debate about Dončić’s on-court demeanor.
- Postgame, Lakers guard Marcus Smart said players must stop talking to referees and prioritize getting back on defense.