Does something need to change as Luka Doncic suspended for picking up 16th technical?

For the first time in his NBA career, Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will be suspended.

Doncic received his 16th technical foul of the season in Dallas' 110-104 loss to Charlotte on Sunday afternoon after arguing a no-call on a drive to the basket early in the third quarter.

Doncic seemed to have slightly toned things down over the last few weeks as he knew he would be suspended if he got to his 16th technical, but Doncic finally burst on Sunday.

Does something need to change after Luka Doncic was suspended for picking up 16th technical foul?

He got suspended during the most crucial time of the season, and this is the fourth season in a row that Doncic has been in the top ten in the league for technical fouls.

Although technical fouls can be assessed for many different reasons, the majority of Doncic's technicals are because he decides to let his emotions get the best of him and argue calls to the referees. But the referees can't change their calls. He's throwing empty words at the referees even when the foul call or decision not to make a call can't be changed.

And this is why Doncic's on-court attitude has to change.

No matter how spectacular of a player he is, the technical fouls need to stop. They are a sign of immaturity and ultimately hurt the team.

Technical fouls give the opposing team a free-throw attempt, provide the other team energy, and ignite the crowd if on the road.

It also has to change because he got suspended for a must-win game. Doncic won't play in Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers if his technical foul from Sunday isn't rescinded.

The Mavericks are sitting at 11th in the Western Conference and are half a game back from the tenth seed and getting a chance to play for a spot in the playoffs in the Play-In Tournament. This is a game that the Mavericks desperately needed Doncic to play in. They are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs if these losses continue, and they are 5-10 this season when Doncic doesn't play.

The Dallas Mavericks will look to turn things around starting on Monday night in Indiana. Stay tuned to see if Kyrie Irving and the Mavs can get a win on the road or if their losing streak will reach five games in a row.