LeBron James Criticizes NBA Replay Center After Lakers' Buzzer-Beater Loss to Nuggets

LeBron James expressed frustration with the NBA's replay center following the Los Angeles Lakers' heartbreaking 101-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets on a buzzer-beater by Jamal Murray in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on April 24, 2024. The loss puts the Lakers in a 0-2 hole as the series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Friday.

James was particularly upset about a foul call against Michael Porter Jr. that was overturned late in the game. In leaked audio of his confrontation with an official after the game-winning shot, James questioned the purpose of the replay center, saying the decision to overturn the call "makes no sense." He also referenced a controversial call in an earlier game between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, inquiring "What are we doing?"

The Lakers had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds, but James' 3-point attempt rimmed out. The Nuggets capitalized, coming back from a 20-point deficit to secure the victory and extend their winning streak over the Lakers to 10 games. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a triple-double of 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Anthony Davis paced the Lakers with 32 points.

Why this matters: The Lakers' inability to close out games against the defending NBA champions raises concerns about their playoff chances. As a high-profile team led by LeBron James, the Lakers' performance and controversies surrounding officiating draw significant attention and spark debates about the fairness and consistency of NBA refereeing.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham defended his coaching staff after the loss, saying they pride themselves on being highly organized and efficient. He suggested that Davis' comments criticizing the coaching were likely made in the heat of the moment due to frustration. Ham emphasized the need for the Lakers to understand why they failed to hold their lead and focus on sustaining their play in the fourth quarter, where games are ultimately decided.

James acknowledged that the Lakers missed several shots at the rim that they had been making throughout the season. He stressed the importance of closing out games, noting that the Lakers were unable to do so against the Nuggets in the first two games of the series. The Lakers will need to win at least one of the next two games in Los Angeles to avoid falling into a nearly insurmountable 0-3 deficit.

Key Takeaways

• Lakers lost 101-99 to Nuggets on Jamal Murray's buzzer-beater in Game 2.
• LeBron James criticized NBA replay center for overturning a foul call against Nuggets.
• Lakers' inability to close out games raises concerns about their playoff chances.
• Lakers coach Darvin Ham defended his coaching staff after the loss.
• Lakers need to win at least one of the next two games to avoid 0-3 deficit.