Sophie Cunningham has backed a proposed NBA rule change that grew out of a Luka Doncic technical foul. The Lakers star was hit with the call against the Portland Trail Blazers after he threw the ball toward a referee in frustration. Trainer Drew Hanlen used the moment to argue that technicals should be wiped when officials blow the original call, and Cunningham quickly agreed. All of it came while Doncic is averaging 38.6 points a game and right after he left a win over the Bucks with an ankle injury.
Why does Sophie Cunningham support the NBA rule change?
Sophie Cunningham liked the idea as soon as Hanlen pitched it. He raised it on the No Hesitation podcast while laughing about the disbelief of six-time All-Star Luka Doncic at being teed up in the Portland game. Hanlen was careful to say he was not claiming the referee blew that particular call. His point was about the rule itself. If a ref misses a call and a player reacts to it, he argued, “that technical should be wiped.”Cunningham needed only four words to answer: “I agree, I agree.”The idea has a catch. Some reactions cross the line even when the whistle was wrong, and nobody wants players throwing balls at officials without consequences. Any rule change would need clear wording on what qualifies for a wipe. Without it, the league could end up with more arguments about technicals, not fewer.The moment stood out because of the zero-tolerance stance the Slovenian had taken only days earlier.
Doncic’s scoring run continues with a positive ankle update
Cunningham has been just as taken with the way Doncic is playing. She said on her podcast that his highlights keep filling her social media feeds, and that he has been “so much fun to watch.” She admitted it has become hard to look away.The numbers back her up. Through 11 games, Doncic is averaging 38.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field and 40.8% from three. He has scored at least 30 points in nine straight games, and the Lakers are 11-2.The ankle scare came in the Bucks game. Doncic landed on Kyle Kuzma’s foot late in the fourth quarter of a 123-112 Lakers win, after putting up 32 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 32 minutes. It was the seventh straight win for Los Angeles.The early word is good. Doncic woke up Thursday with no pain in the ankle, and coach JJ Redick had called it “just a light tweak” after the game. Doncic played it down too, telling reporters, “I’ll be fine.” Lakers need Doncic in good health, as he is dominating the league.