The referees for the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks garnered a significant amount of bad press for their controversial calls, and fans on social media believed the Purple and Gold were robbed of the much-deserved win.
The clash went into double overtime, eventually ending 119-115 in favor of the Mavericks. Such was the officiating that it drew ample flak from both camps.
The highlight was Troy Brown Jr.’s three-point attempt in the closing seconds of the game that would have sealed the deal for the Lakers. While he set himself up for the shot, Tim Hardaway Jr.’s hand appeared to have come in contact with Brown who stumbled away after releasing the ball.
While it was widely believed that it was foul that would send him to the charity stripe, the no-foul call pushed the contest into overtime. Needless to say, Lakers fans were livid.
LAKERS GOT ROBBED. THAT WAS A FOUL. pic.twitter.com/nMfJbgnB9h
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) January 13, 2023
LAKERS GOT ROBBED. THAT WAS A FOUL.
Up next, the end of overtime saw LeBron James barrelling in for a layup and had Christian Wood making contact to his left, which was not called out.
No call on the Troy Brown shot at the end of regulation and then no call on this at the end of OT
And y’all said the Lakers had the refs on their side tonight lolpic.twitter.com/0iqt4k2Fyc
— 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) January 13, 2023
No call on the Troy Brown shot at the end of regulation and then no call on this at the end of OT And y’all said the Lakers had the refs on their side tonight lol
The fans called for referees to be fined for their poor officiating actually cost the side a game they deserved to win.
This needs to be investigated. The Lakers would’ve been 2.5 GB of 4th seed. pic.twitter.com/sKcwlbrTZy
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) January 13, 2023
This needs to be investigated. The Lakers would’ve been 2.5 GB of 4th seed.
The fandom was relentless as they continued their rant against the decision-makers manning the game from the sides.
I see 10 foul calls a game on 3pt shots just for breathing in the shooter’s landing space but they let this shit slide lol pic.twitter.com/bxIuYbHquf
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) January 13, 2023
I see 10 foul calls a game on 3pt shots just for breathing in the shooter’s landing space but they let this shit slide lol
The Lakers slip to 19-23 after the loss against the Mavericks and are placed 13th in the West.
NBA Fans React To The Controversial Refereeing
While one segment of fans was aghast with the referees’ calls, some used it as an opportunity to throw some new memes out on social media and help diffuse the situation a bit.
LeBron James firmly believed that the no-foul call that went against Brown was indeed an officiating error. He just had a single-word response to the query when asked about it after the game.
LeBron’s one-word reaction to if Troy Brown Jr. was fouled at the end of regulation vs. Mavs: “Obviously.”
(via @michaelcorvoNBA) pic.twitter.com/I3qTS7gABT
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 13, 2023
LeBron’s one-word reaction to if Troy Brown Jr. was fouled at the end of regulation vs. Mavs: “Obviously.” (via @michaelcorvoNBA)
Here are some of the reactions following the Lakers’ loss to the Mavericks:
Yes, foul … 3 free throws https://t.co/v4bzaVIKW9
— Isaac♌🇵🇷 (@peace_IMI) January 13, 2023
Refs… Where are you.??? https://t.co/Q2LKucunSC
— mhaiyitot (@pickmaiii24) January 13, 2023
The man grabbed all HAND….#MakeTheCall https://t.co/oQpRz13zqJ
— SkyWalker32 (@king_G____) January 13, 2023
That’s clearly clearly‼️ a foul https://t.co/RrdgGfuPOI
— Quez🏹 (@jaquez_cole) January 13, 2023
First game I have ever legitimately thought the refs were really paid off.
Side note though – Lebron's OT second standing dunk attempt getting blocked reminded me of most of the randoms in the rec on #2k23 PASS IT OUT https://t.co/T984U2aC4B
— JakeForeverRandom (@Jake4EverRandom) January 13, 2023
This is why I know the refs be getting paid no way this ain’t a foul no way…. #theyknowthespread https://t.co/JwkObXkQfg
— It's Julisa (@itsjulisa_) January 13, 2023
Game should have ended here but nope https://t.co/M1aivClMfG
— Alexis McCrea, PT, DPT (@A_mccrea5) January 13, 2023
Lakers win with 3 free throws right here. Go back to school refs. @NBA https://t.co/43c2dbVAQg
— Robert Lubell (@RobertLubell) January 13, 2023
Foul. @NBA should hold blind refs accountable. https://t.co/5JGPFyHwZU
— Srikrishna 🏏🏀 (@1998Srikrishna) January 13, 2023
Tim Hardaway Jr. to Troy Brown pic.twitter.com/YLQ8JZTZiK
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) January 13, 2023
All things considered, the Lakers will look to move on from the shock calls and focus on their next contest. They host the Philadelphia 76ers next and will look to arrest their two-game losing slide.
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