5 NBA players with the most technical fouls in the 2020-21 NBA season

#3 Russell Westbrook - 14 technical fouls

Russell Westbrook (#4) of the Washington Wizards talks with referee Brent Barnaky (#36)

Of all the active players in the NBA, Russell Westbrook holds the top spot in the all-time technical fouls leaderboard. In the 2020-21 season, he added 14 more technical fouls to his total, and was fined $45,000.

Russ is a very vocal player, and has gotten into several heated conversations with players and referees alike. In the 2019-20 NBA season, he hit the 16-technical-fouls milestone. However, he had a bit more control in the 2020-21 campaign.

Russell Westbrook just earned his 14th technical foul of the season, that ties Luka Doncic for second second most this year. Dwight Howard is first with 16.

— Quinton Mayo (@RealQuintonMayo) April 27, 2021

Brody is happy to be the villain, as he acknowledged that he was always the bad guy with the Houston Rockets. With so much on the line, he will likely be more expressive and get into more trouble with the LA Lakers.

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#2 Luka Doncic - 16 technical fouls

Luka Doncic (#77) of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after being charged with a foul/

Luka Doncic has only played three seasons in the NBA, but has found his way to the top of the list. As an elite playmaker who aggressively drives to the rim, it is understandable to see him argue no calls when he strongly believes he was fouled.

Doncic was close to receiving a one-game suspension towards the end of the 2020-21 NBA season that the Dallas Mavericks could not afford. To that end, we saw Doncic smile more even when calls did not go his way.

A one-game suspension would have been inevitable if the superstar had accumulated one more technical foul. Although his count stands at 16, one of his technical fouls was rescinded, which became a lifeline for him.

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#1 Dwight Howard - 16 technical fouls

Dwight Howard (#39) of the LA Lakers argues with referee Courtney Kirkland (#61)

Dwight Howard is skilled at fouling intentionally and feigning ignorance. Unfortunately, he gets called out often, as the officials are fully aware of his tactics. While his aggressive play aims at instilling fear in his opponents, he goes overboard at times.

76ers center Dwight Howard has been suspended one game for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2020-21 season.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 14, 2021

Howard is an elite rim protector, and has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award on three occasions. However, the referees also know him as a chief complainer. After receiving 16 technical fouls in the 2020-21 season, he received a one-game suspension.

The big man has led the NBA in technical fouls in three other seasons as well. His efforts this year cost him $66,000 in fines. It will be interesting to see who receives more technical fouls for the LA Lakers between him and Russell Westbrook in the upcoming 2021-22 NBA campaign.