The NBA referees’ official Twitter account has apologized via a written statement for a “gut-wrenching” mistake that cost the LA Lakers in the final minute of their loss to the Boston Celtics.
With the scores tied at 105-105 with under five seconds left in regulation, LeBron James appeared to be hit on his shooting arm by Jayson Tatum while driving to the basket.
But James didn’t get a foul call from the officials to spark immediate outrage from the LA camp – and what became the controversial talking point out of the match – as the Celtics went on to win 125-121 in overtime.
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It included a livid response from the Lakers, with James expressing confusion and questioning while rival stars received more calls, Anthony Davis calling it “bulls**t” and saying the team was “cheated” and Dennis Schroder going so far as to suggest the referees themselves should be fined for such errors.
The NBA referees then took to social media to admit James was fouled on the controversial play and accept responsibility for the blunder.
“Like everyone else, referees make mistakes. We made one at the end of last night’s game and that is gut-wrenching for us,” the official account wrote.
“This play will weigh heavily and cause sleepless nights as we strive to be the best referees we can be.”
It follows NBA referee Eric Lewis in the initial post-match review of the officiating saying there was contact from Tatum on James but conceding the call was missed.
The loss saw the Lakers fall to 23-27 on the season in a blow to their bid to make the playoffs after a horror 2-10 start to their campaign.
The purple and gold will look to bounce back in Tuesday’s clash against the Brooklyn Nets without James and Davis due to rest on the first game of a back-to-back.
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