Lakers superstar LeBron James had a disheartening and frustrating birthday night as the Lakers fell to their 16th loss this season against the Minnesota Timberwolves, away from home.
The legend who was celebrating his 39th birthday had to call off the celebrations after a controversial 3-point call against the Lakers snatched the game completely from them. LeBron did not fail to express his anguish regarding the call by the NBA officials as he spoke to the media after the game.
LeBron James slams NBA officials decision
As the Lakers fell to the Timberwolves, LeBron James was extremely vocal about the officials’ decision to award a shot, that was taken as a 3, as a two-pointer which took the momentum and spark away from the Lakers that they needed in the dying seconds of the game.
A consequential call on LeBron James’ right-foot placement being on the line while the shot was taken was the argument that the officials pushed forward. However, LeBron and the Purple and Gold visioned the incident in an entirely different manner.
According to the basketball legend, his foot was well before the line when the shot was taken and there was no need for such arguments considering the bright white court was visible between the three-point line and the player’s shoes.
The play which was started by an Anthony Davis rebound was pushed into transition to LeBron who shot the ball into the basket with about four seconds remaining on the clock. Initially understood overjoyed with the three points, the Lakers joy was short-lived as they came to terms with the controversial decision from the referees.
“It’s obviously a three, my foot is behind the line”, said LeBron James speaking on the play.
LeBron James told the press, “My foot is behind the line. I mean, you can see the space in between the front of my foot and the three-point line. You can clearly a white [space]. The wood on the floor. There’s a space in between the front of my foot and the three-point line. … Stevie Wonder can see that, champ.”
He also bashed the officiating systems and methods put in place to review calls and plays.
The four-time NBA expressed his distress and agony saying, “It’s super frustrating in the sense of what the h-ll we got a replay for? Why do we have replays even if the replays get it wrong?”
Ultimately, the referees call stood, and they strongly defended their claims against LeBron by saying that there wasn’t any conclusive evidence to overturn their score ruling.
In a game that had all the drama, the Lakers fell short against the Wolves who won the game 108-106.
Timberwolves beat Lakers
The Minnesota Timberwolves led by Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony Towns and the defensive prowess of Frenchman Rudy Gobert, made all the right stops to ensure that the Lakers wouldn’t be able to secure a victory in their homecourt.
Led by Edwards’ scoring, the hungry Wolves held down the dynamic duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James who combined for 59 points through the game.
Unfortunately, the pair had a lackluster and underwhelming supporting cast for the night. Apart from Davis and LeBron, who scored 33 and 26 respectively, not one player from the Purple and Gold managed to score in double digits which brought to light the large offensive disparity the Lakers have within their squad.
Edwards’, one of the best young players in the league, was all over the place for the Timberwolves and absolutely blazed the team from Los Angeles with his impeccable mid-range jump shots. He also had a feisty moment when he hit a three late in the 4th quarter and stared away into the Lakers bench. Supporting Edwards through the night was Gobert who had 13 points and 13 rebounds, just 4 short of Anthony Davis’ game-high 17 rebounds.
Edwards finished the game with 31 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists shooting 10 for 23 from the field and making 9 out of his 11 free throws.
It was another incredible night from Lakers big-man Anthony Davis as he dropped a game-high 33 points but just couldn’t get the much-needed win. The 6’10” superstar had a beautiful shooting night with a % of 70.6 and figures of 12 for 17.
Celebrating his 39th birthday, LeBron James ended the night with 26 with 47.6%.
With the win against the trailing Lakers, the Wolves improved to 24-7 which seats them at the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Lakers added another loss to their season which makes their record 17-16 and places them low at the 10th seed.
The Lakers will hope to get back to winning ways tomorrow against Davis’ former team, the New Orleans while the Wolves will focus on continuing their dominant run against the NY Knicks on the 2nd day of the New Year.
Do you think the call against the Lakers was wrong? What did you think of the Wolves game against the Lakers? Will the Lakers make the playoffs this season? We are eager to hear your thoughts and opinions, so please let us know in the comments below.
