Star forward LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers lost in double-overtime to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, and the referees played a major role for better or worse.
The refs missed a potential foul during Lakers‘ guard Troy Brown’s three-point shot at the end of regulation. The refs also appeared to miss a foul on a game-winning lay-up by James in the first overtime.
Brown chose not to discuss the apparent foul on what would have been a game-winning shot to prevent the first overtime.
“It is what it is,” Brown said, according to ESPN. “That’s not my job to ref, and I’m not gonna sit here and decide who should have did what.”
James, however, took a more direct route of attack.
“No, it’s a f—ing foul,” James said. “It’s a foul. No matter what [Brown] says, it’s a f—ing foul. That s— is blatant, and they should have called it.”
https://twitter.com/Widelakers/status/1613788672909885440
(Warning: The video includes NSFW language from James.)
The double-overtime loss is the latest setback for the Lakers in a season that, like last season’s campaign, is becoming memorable for all the wrong reasons. The loss dropped the Lakers to 19-23 on the season.
The Lakers are next in action Sunday when they host the Philadelphia 76ers.
[ESPN]
