NBA rescinds Luka Doncic's 16th technical, suspension

Doncic got a technical Sunday during the Dallas Mavericks' loss to the Charlotte Hornets — their second in three days. He missed a shot badly, and when he talked to the official about the non-call, he was hit with a quick T. According to crew chief Kevin Scott, Doncic got the call for "profanity directed at the officials in protest to a no-call that was correctly judged in postgame video review."

That was Doncic's 16th technical foul of the season, which carries an automatic one-game suspension. Dillon Brooks has been suspended two games for excessive technicals this year, while Draymond Green missed one so far. 

Now Luka will be eligible to play Monday night in Indiana against his old coach, Rick Carlisle.

Luka has actually been whistled for a technical foul 17 times this season, but the NBA rescinded a technical back in December because Doncic was yelling at a teammate, not the referees. It's not clear why the most recent technical was wiped out, but coach Jason Kidd said he didn't think the tech was "warranted."

Last year, Doncic dodged a suspension for the season's last game when the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul, levied for what referee Tony Brothers called "continuously complaining."

Perhaps the referees have been overzealous with their whistles, but it feels like there's a double standard with the NBA. Suspending Brooks is fine, but a superstar like Doncic receives the benefit of the doubt, even though "continuously complaining" could describe Doncic in every game.

Was Doncic truly unfairly treated by the officials, or is the NBA worried about one of its most popular players missing the postseason? The league office needs to explain its reasoning, or it risks fans continuously complaining that the NBA is rigged.