In Game 2, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, giving up a 20-point lead and dropping to 0-2 in the series.
While mental errors and the Nuggets turning it on were the primary causes of the defeat, LeBron James feels certain that a particular non-call was a major factor. James making his argument to the referee in a leaked video rapidly went viral online.
NBA official and LeBron James got into an argument
James yelled nonstop at one referee for failing to call a and-one on one of the game’s last plays.
Following Jamal Murray’s game-winning jump shot, James rushed the official who had “missed” the call and started berating him. He said,
Why didn’t you call the and-one? Why didn’t you call that s**t? Why didn’t you call it? It was right in front of you. I’m asking you a question.
Although James has previously shown signs of frustration when things don’t go his way, this is one of his more noticeable outbursts. He does have a point, though, since it appeared that Murray fouled him during the play.
D’Angelo Russell trash talks the Nuggets and Lakers officials
After the game, James wasn’t the only Lakers player who felt displeased with the referees. D’Angelo Russell made a number of harsh criticisms of the officiating team, primarily for this rejection of a Denver challenge.
Michael Porter Jr. hit D'Angelo Russell in the face. MPJ was called for a foul which was then challenged.
Nuggets won the challenge.
Thought? 🤔pic.twitter.com/X01ufZXX4g
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 23, 2024
Russell is obviously struck in the face. I wonder why the Nuggets were given the benefit of the doubt on the foul call.
