The Los Angeles Lakers squandered a 20-point lead and fell into a 0-2 hole against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs First Round. Lakers star LeBron James was furious with the officiating after the annoying loss.
James Roasts The Replay Center
Even though the Los Angeles Lakers had a frustrating loss, LeBron James wasn’t particularly fixated on his team blowing a 20-point lead. He was more frustrated with the NBA’s replay center in Secaucus, New Jersey. The biggest thing grinding LeBron James’s gear was the foul committed by the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. on D’Angelo Russell.
Speaking on the matter, LeBron James said: “I don’t understand what’s going on in the replay center, to be honest. D-Lo clearly gets hit in the face on the drive. What the (expletive) do we have a replay center … it doesn’t make sense. It makes no sense. It bothers me.” His frustration was compounded by the fact that the Lakers were heading home down 0-2 when the series could’ve easily been 1-1.
LeBron James Has A Quiet Press Conference
Lebron James, who is known for giving detailed answers during his press conferences, was unusually subdued after the game. The fact that the Lakers surrendered a 68-48 lead must’ve also had a big part to play in it. Coincidentally, it was also the Lakers’ 10th straight loss against the Nuggets.
Speaking on his missed wide-open three to ice the game, LeBron James said: “Rimmed out”, as he was dejected after finishing with 26 points and 12 assists. The missed shot led to a Denver possession which ended with Jamal Murray hitting a buzzer-beater over Anthony Davis to win the game.
Speaking about the incredible Nuggets comeback, LeBron James said: “We missed shots. We still got great looks and we just missed them. And they made it.” The Lakers were outscored 20-32 by the Nuggets in the fourth quarter.
One silver lining in the heartbreaking loss was the incredible performance of D’Angelo Russell who made seven threes in the game. “We never lost confidence in him. D-Lo is D-Lo,” said James.
LeBron James spoke about the manner of their defeat and said: “Of course, it’s a heartbreaking game and you don’t want to lose in that fashion.”
That led to LeBron James going on a rant against the NBA’s replay center. James himself suffered from a controversial call when a foul on LeBron James by Jamal Murray was redacted upon review.
LeBron James had issues with another game
LeBron James also referenced the other game from Monday’s double-header. The New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers game also came down to the wire and involved a controversial call. After rallying from behind to draw level, the Knicks scored a go-ahead three with 13 seconds remaining.
The possession started with a steal on the 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey. Joel Embiid claimed that Maxey was fouled during the play. There were also talks about how 76ers coach Nick Nurse had tried to call timeout before the play and the refs ignored it. The 76ers organization is also filing a complaint against the officiating.
James concluded his interview by commenting on the game with a simple, “What are we doing?”