Luka: Hitting Sexton in groin 'obviously wasn't on purpose'

Luka Doncic says he didn't intentionally strike Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton in the groin Sunday, a move that earned the Dallas Mavericks star a flagrant-2 foul and third-quarter ejection.

"After I saw the video, I knew I hit him, but it wasn't nothing on purpose," Doncic told reporters postgame, including ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "I think that kind of stuff happens a lot in games, but I don't know.

"That's my explanation. It obviously wasn't on purpose. It was just two guys fighting for a rebound, I guess."

Doncic and Sexton were jostling for position under the basket when the latter bumped the former from behind. The Mavericks ball-handler looked upset with the contact, and he immediately responded with a right-hand swipe that caught Sexton below the belt.

Following a lengthy review, officials tossed Doncic from the game while citing an "aggressive strike into the groin area."

However, Sexton doesn't think Doncic was trying to hurt him.

"It was just a boxout play," the Cavaliers guard said. "Usually, whenever someone is handchecking, then you punch down or swing down. It was just in the groin, but it's all good."

Sunday's ejection was Doncic's second of the season, but it won't add to his running technical foul count. The 22-year-old has been assessed 15 technical fouls this year, and he'll be automatically suspended for one game if Doncic receives a 16th before the regular season ends.