Saturday‘s game between the Lakers and Celtics was expected to be a close contest, and it definitely lived up to its hype. Patrick Beverley of the Los Angeles Lakers may have made the most creative, yet ill–advised technical foul of the season when it was clear that Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics had hit LeBron James’ arm on a potential game–winning shot, and referees failed to call a foul.
Patrick Beverley really brought a camera out to the floor 😅 pic.twitter.com/7hMugg7BaN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 29, 2023
Beverley took matters into his own hands and grabbed a camera, walking up to referee Eric Lewis and trying to show him that James was indeed fouled. Lewis did not take kindly to Beverley’s actions and handed him a technical foul.
As Beverley walked back to the Lakers bench, he held the camera in the air while pointing at it and looking back at Lewis.
The Lakers were obviously not pleased with the result as first–year coach Darvin Ham said, “As much as you try not to put it on officiating, it’s becoming increasingly difficult. The best player on earth can’t get a call … It’s amazing.”
Big man Anthony Davis said the Lakers “got cheated tonight“ and in a pool report after the game, Lewis admitted that his crew had “missed the play“ and the technical was given out because Beverley had “inappropriate“ actions.
LeBron was not happy after this play to win the game. pic.twitter.com/FNMPBQTHox
— ESPN (@espn) January 29, 2023
James finished with 41 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and is just 116 points from tying Lakers great Kareem Abdul–Jabbar as the NBA’s all–time leading scorer. When asked about his reaction to the non–call on the final play of regulation, James simply replied, “You saw my reaction.”
Beverley’s creative move may have been ill–advised and the no–call may have been disappointing, but the close game and the emotions that came with it made it an interesting and exciting watch. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t in the Lakers’ favor this time.
