Referees Talk About LeBron James’s 3-Pointer That Was Taken Off the Board and Other Contentious Calls in the Lakers vs. Warriors Game
With just a few games remaining, the Los Angeles Lakers are tied for ninth and tenth place in the Western Conference after suffering a devastating loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.
Several stoppages in the latter minutes of the game created criticism surrounding the loss. LeBron James scored a 3-pointer from the corner with about two minutes remaining to pull the Lakers within four points. The Lakers were trying their hardest to cut into the Warriors’ advantage after Anthony Davis suffered an injury, and they finally appeared to be gathering steam.
But after that, the officials miscalled consecutive calls, which compelled Lakers head coach Darvin Ham to use challenges, both of which were accepted.
They also reviewed the James 3-pointer during that period and found that his foot was on the out-of-bounds line, costing the Lakers three points. From that point on, the shot clock started acting strangely, which resulted in delays of about 20 minutes when added to the reviews. The Lakers would ultimately lose because they were never able to regain their momentum.
In addition, the shot clock reset incorrectly earlier in the fourth quarter during a Warriors possession. As a result, the Warriors gained extra time and scored in place of the Lakers stopping them with a strong defensive play for 24 seconds.
Crew Chief David Guthrie provided an explanation of what transpired on those plays and the reason they could review James’ foot being out of bounds but not the shot clock resetting in a pool report released following the game.
After tonight’s Warriors vs. Lakers game, Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group spoke with Crew Chief David Guthrie for the Pool Report.
QUESTION: What did the replay officials witness during the LeBron James three-point attempt that was called back for a 124-120 lead? Would the three be reviewed without the Lakers contesting the subsequent possession’s out-of-bounds call? What regulation permits a field goal to be undone by replay, and is it applicable in circumstances other than a contested three- or two-point attempt?
GUTHRIE: As James starts to shoot, his left foot is out of bounds. It can be reviewed at that time, yes. Rule 13, Section II(f)(3), is the applicable rule. The replay center official will only consider the player’s feet’s location at the exact instant they hit the floor just before the shot is released, regardless of whether the shooter crossed the boundary line. This can also be used in conjunction with other replay triggers.
QUESTION: The shot clock was reset to 24 seconds early in the fourth quarter on a Warriors possession that lasted from 11:06 to 10:38. For what reason was the shot clock reset? Is it reviewable and why wasn’t that reviewed?
GUTHRIE: There was a shot clock malfunction during live play, but that is not a subject that can be reviewed.
QUESTION: Is it the officiating crew’s responsibility to notice that at the time, or is it irreversible once it occurs?
GUTHRIE: In agreement.
For the Lakers, this was undoubtedly a very unlucky series of circumstances that cost them in a tight defeat.
Guthrie’s admission of guilt for not calling the shot clock reset is commendable, but it won’t change the outcome and could hurt the Lakers’ hopes of qualifying for the postseason. Even though the Lakers didn’t play well and had chances to win the game, it was clear that their momentum was completely destroyed when they denied James three of his points and incited a protracted stoppage.
The NBA may be asked to look into the review process by the Lakers and Warriors.
This kind of incident occurring in such a prominent game could prompt the NBA, which has numerous issues with its replay system, to examine it and attempt to make improvements this offseason.
Many people don’t know what may and cannot be reviewed because certain policies don’t seem to have a crystal cut purpose.