Magic’s Goga Bitadze, Lakers’ Luka Doncic get technicals for some tough talk

During the third quarter of Saturday’s game between the Magic and Lakers at Kia Center , technical fouls were assessed to Orlando center Goga Bitadze and Los Angeles star Luka Doncic . It wasn’t until after the game, however, that more context was provided about the back-and-forth interaction between the two players. Speaking at the podium after the Lakers won by one point in the final moments, 105-104, thanks to a Luke Kennard 3-pointer, Doncic claimed Bitadze had choice words in Serbian for him about his family.

“He said at the free throw, he would (expletive) my whole family,” said Doncic who scored 33 points on the road. “And at some point, this is basketball … At some point, I just can’t stand it. I gotta stand up for myself.

But I know I gotta do better. ” In a phone interview with the Orlando Sentinel and ESPN after Doncic spoke to the media, Bitadze shared his side of the story when he was asked about the interaction. “I have all the respect for Luka and what he has done,” Bitadze said.

“And I really respect everybody’s family. Where I come from, it’s really sacred and we really respect each other’s families, and I would never directly say that. He just said some inappropriate things in the Serbian language, which, I played in Serbia.