Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schröder was ejected in the third quarter of Friday night’s playoff game against the Golden State Warriors after receiving his second technical foul of the night. The German point guard was a key piece for the Lakers on both ends of the floor, especially as he was matched up against Stephen Curry on the defensive end.
Schröder got the technical foul after Draymond Green stuck the ball in his face following a play midway through the quarter. Schröder just stood there, unflinching, before getting the call.
Fans took to Twitter to show their surprise and anger after Schroder’s ejection. One fan said “that tech on Schroder is crazy bro wtf r these refs on tonight,”
https://twitter.com/mementomars_/status/1657233997632512002?s=20
Another said, “Giving a tech to Schroder there is full-on unacceptable.”
Giving a tech to Schroder there is full on unacceptable.
— No Holds Cards (Ari) (@NoHoldsCards) May 13, 2023
A third fan wrote, “That was just a horrible call on Schroder. Like what did the refs want him to do?”
That’s a terrible call like what is Schroder suppose to do??? https://t.co/mx6OmOYs9V
— Randyn (@RandomRan__) May 13, 2023
The ruling by the officials was highly questionable as it didn’t seem like Schröder did much to deserve the ejection. NBA Twitter was quick to express their displeasure with the call.
Bruh shit was going to be LEGENDARY
— BlvDon (@dontavious12) May 13, 2023
That was just a horrible call on Schroder. Like what did the refs want him to do?
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) May 13, 2023
Draymond has to basically punch a referee for a Tech and yet Schroder is thrown out for 2 of the softest techs I’ve ever seen
— Matt (@SportsMatt12) May 13, 2023
Despite the loss of Schröder, the Lakers didn’t seem to be affected as they led the Warriors by double digits for practically the entire game. The Lakers are now on the verge of eliminating the reigning NBA champions.
Schröder had three points, five assists, and two rebounds when he was ejected. His absence did not have a significant impact on the Lakers’ performance. They were able to close out the game and move on to the Western Conference Finals, where they will face the Denver Nuggets.
This is a huge accomplishment for the Lakers, who have had a tumultuous season with injuries and off-court issues. The team has had to rely heavily on its superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but Schröder has been a valuable addition to the team, providing scoring and playmaking off the bench.
Despite the controversial ejection, Schröder can take pride in his team’s success and the role he played in getting them to this point. The Lakers will need him and the rest of the team to continue to step up as they face a tough challenge in the Nuggets.
Lakers Defeat Warriors to Reach Western Conference Finals Despite Schroder’s Ejection
The Los Angeles Lakers secured their spot in the Western Conference finals with a resounding 122-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. LeBron James led the way with 30 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Anthony Davis added 17 points and an impressive 20 rebounds. The Lakers never trailed in the game, and their win ended the Warriors’ pursuit of a fifth championship in nine seasons.
The Lakers’ victory was even more impressive considering they lost key guard Dennis Schröder in the third quarter after he received his second technical foul of the night. Despite this setback, the Lakers never faltered and continued to dominate on both ends of the floor. Austin Reaves also played a significant role in the win, contributing 23 points, including a 54-footer from midcourt at the halftime buzzer.
The Lakers’ impressive performance in the playoffs continued as they improved to 7-0 at home since the regular season ended. They will now face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in the next round of the playoffs. The Lakers attributed their success to “togetherness” and their ability to withstand adversity, as they proved they can win even without one of their key players on the court.
