Doncic claims Bitadze insulted his family in Serbian

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic accused Orlando Magic's Goga Bitadze of insulting his family in Serbian during an exchange between the pair during Saturday's 105-104 win, resulting in both players receiving double technical fouls.

"I let my team down getting that last tech," Doncic told reporters postgame, according to Khobi Price of the California Post. "But honestly, I wasn't trying to. He said if we talk, he would 'f--- my whole family.' At some point, this is a basketball court. ... I got to stand up for myself. But I know I got to do better."

However, Bitadze disputed Doncic's version of events and suggested the Slovenian was the first to hurl insults, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

I have all the respect for Luka and what he has done. I really respect everybody's family. Where I come from, it's really sacred and we really respect each other's family. I would never directly say that. ... He just said some inappropriate things in the Serbian language. I played in Serbia, and I understand. I don't know if he knew I understood what he said, so I just said it back.

It was nothing towards his family or anybody. His family, I really, truly respect them. What (Doncic) came out and said, I don't think that's the truth. I know that's not the truth. I know what I said. ... I apologize if it crossed the line. He said something about my mother, which is really inappropriate. We don't say that stuff. ... So I just said whatever he told me about my mother and said it back. That was pretty much it."

Officials assessed Doncic and Bitadze with double technicals late in the third quarter after the Lakers guard appeared to say something to the Magic center while running back on defense. Doncic said the exchange between him and Bitadze initially began on the previous possession.

With the technical being Doncic's 16th of the season, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the team would appeal the foul in hopes the star would avoid an automatic one-game suspension. In their appeal to the league, the Lakers contend that Bitadze should have received a warning before the refs issued the technicals, a source told McMenamin.

"We'll obviously try to get that rescinded," Lakers coach JJ Redick said postgame. "Not sure what happened. I do know there were certain things said in a language that the referees couldn't understand in references to Luka's mom."

Bitadze, 26, was born in Georgia but signed with Serbian club Mega Basket in 2016. He remained under contract in Serbia until 2019, when he was drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers.

Doncic never played in Serbia but is fluent in the language.

Despite the technical, Doncic finished with 33 points, shooting 12-of-30 (3-of-13 from distance). He also added eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals to help Los Angeles win its ninth straight. Redick's squad will visit the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons on Monday, though Detroit will be without star Cade Cunningham, who's expected to be out until April with a collapsed lung.