When an official signals a technical foul, what action must be taken next?

When an official signals a technical foul, the appropriate action that follows is that play resumes with the opposing team gaining possession. This is because a technical foul does not result in a personal foul assessed against a player, but rather it is a team infraction, often related to unsportsmanlike conduct or failure to comply with league rules.

After the technical foul is called, the opposing team is awarded free throws before they take possession of the ball. However, this critical aspect comes after acknowledging the technical foul and ensuring that the game proceeds correctly. The reason that the opposing team gains possession directly is to penalize the infraction by allowing them the opportunity to score from the free throws and maintain the advantage moving forward in the game. This reinforces the importance of sportsmanship and adherence to the rules of play, ensuring that teams are discouraged from committing such fouls in the future.