Lakers’ LeBron James sounds off on officiating, replay center

DENVER — After a heartbreaking 101-99 loss in Sport 2 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, LeBron James was one among a number of Los Angeles Lakers gamers to criticize the officiating throughout his postgame feedback.

“I do not perceive what is going on on within the replay heart, to be sincere,” James stated.

James has voiced his displeasure with the league’s replay course of a number of instances this season, corresponding to when his foot was dominated to be on the 3-point line in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and out of bounds in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.

On Monday night time in Denver, he particularly took concern with a taking pictures foul referred to as in opposition to Michael Porter Jr. on D’Angelo Russell late within the third quarter that was overturned after Nuggets coach Michael Malone challenged the decision.

“D-Lo clearly will get hit within the face on a drive,” James stated. “What the f— do now we have a replay heart for if it should go [like that]? It would not make sense to me.”

Russell was seemingly in settlement, writing on X after the sport, “That is a foul all of us noticed it on nationwide tv.”

That is a foul all of us noticed it on nationwide tv.

— D’Angelo Russell (@Dloading) April 23, 2024

L.A. led 79-69 with 39.5 seconds remaining within the third quarter when the foul was overturned, erasing two free throw makes an attempt for Russell. The Lakers level guard shot 82.8% from the free throw line this season.

The missed alternative for 2 factors grew to become that rather more consequential with the best way the sport ended: Jamal Murray’s fadeaway jumper on the baseline from 16 toes away as time expired delivered Denver a two-point win and 2-0 sequence lead.

Crew chief Scott Foster introduced over the general public tackle system that Porter’s contact was “marginal,” and the decision was overturned.

A Lakers supply instructed ESPN that James’ foul on Murray with 57.1 seconds left, which rewarded the Nuggets guard two free throws that tied the sport 97-97, additionally may very well be thought-about “marginal contact.”

“It is senseless to me,” James continued. “It bothers me. … After which I simply noticed what occurred with the Sixers-Knicks recreation too. Like, what are we doing?”

As James (26 factors, 12 assists, 8 rebounds) obtained up from the rostrum and headed towards the exit, he added, “It is f—ing silly.”

Whereas L.A. had a 19-6 benefit in free throw makes an attempt in Sport 1, Denver had a 17-13 edge in makes an attempt in Sport 2.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham additionally referenced Lakers heart Anthony Davis’ foul hassle; Davis picked up his fourth with 2:41 remaining within the third quarter whereas setting a display screen on Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. L.A. was up 74-63 on the time, and Ham subbed out Davis to attempt to preserve him from fouling out. At that time, Davis was 14-for-18 from the sphere for 32 factors. He tried just one shot — a missed pull-up within the lane halfway by means of the fourth quarter — the remainder of the sport.

“You’ll be able to’t have a treatment for foul hassle,” Ham stated. “It limits your participant, takes all of the aggression away.”

With Davis’ play affected by his fouls, Denver fought again from a 20-point deficit early within the third quarter. Murray scored 14 of his 20 factors within the fourth, together with his buzzer-beater representing simply the third successful shot to finish a comeback of 20 or extra factors in an NBA playoff recreation since 2000.

Jokic, who completed with 27 factors, 20 rebounds and 10 assists, additionally did injury down the stretch whereas matched up in opposition to the Lakers’ Rui Hachimura, as Davis was switched off Jokic to keep away from extra fouls.

L.A. was “slowed down” within the fourth quarter, in accordance with Lakers guard Austin Reaves, as James scored 12 factors on 5-of-9 taking pictures and the remainder of the crew went simply 3-for-9.

James missed his final shot — a 3-pointer from the highest of the important thing with the rating tied at 99 and 16 seconds left.

“Had a wide-open look, and it rimmed out,” James stated. “I imply, it rimmed in, and it rimmed out.”

Denver, in the meantime, went 7-for-7 to shut out the fourth quarter.

The sequence now shifts to L.A.’s Crypto.com Enviornment on Thursday, because the Lakers try to snap what’s now a 10-game dropping streak in opposition to the Nuggets.

“Win Sport 3,” Davis stated. “It is that straightforward. Simply win Sport 3.”

Russell, who bounced again from a 6-for-20 taking pictures efficiency in Sport 1 to attain 23 factors in Sport 2 and tie a franchise postseason report with seven made 3-pointers, expressed confidence shifting ahead.

“We did lots of good issues that gave us a possibility to win all night time,” Russell stated. “Got here all the way down to some issues that we actually could not management. I like our battle.”

For every part that went proper for the Lakers on Monday, there may be loads of room for enchancment. James went 4-for-11 on pictures on the rim, with the seven misses tying essentially the most he has had in a playoff recreation since becoming a member of the Lakers. Hachimura went 1-for-7 within the beginning lineup. Denver’s bench outscored L.A.’s reserves 12-6.

“We have now stretches the place we simply do not know what we’re doing on each ends of the ground,” Davis stated. “And people are those that price us.”

Second-guessing cannot change the sequence, nevertheless. Solely making ready to ship a distinct end result can.

“Shield dwelling,” James stated. “That is the place my mindset goes. And clearly, the one recreation that issues now’s Sport 3 and the way we will get higher. How we will determine this crew out. So, Sport 3 is the place my mindset is.”

ESPN Stats & Data contributed to this report.