LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 1 of their first-round playoff series with the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-95, at home on Saturday night. James had just 19 points in the loss, while Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 37 points.
Jay Bilas normally calls college basketball games for ESPN, but on Saturday night, he worked the Timberwolves-Lakers game—and he dropped a line about James that had many fans fuming.
In case you missed it, James was was knocked to the floor after attempting a shot late in the fourth quarter. He thought there should have been a foul called and could be seen yelling at the ref as play continued.
Bilas was surprised to see James jawing with the ref and said: “He’s not a complainer.”
“He’s NOT a complainer”
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) April 20, 2025
The commentator on LeBron 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/kOx2KEgRDD
Fans took issue with that because James has done his fair share of flopping and complaining during his career.
Jay Bilas just said "he's not a complainer"... about LeBron James??!?!
— Lachlan McLean 📺 (@LachTalk) April 20, 2025
Has Jay ever watched LeBron play before?
What an absolutely bizarre comment 😂
Jay Bilas just said LeBron James “is not a complainer” lmfao
— Zachary Faria (@ZacharyFaria) April 20, 2025
The ABC crew actually said “he’s not a complainer” about LeBron James. Should be a #1 seed in next year’s PST, @BrandonMileski.
— John Kriesel (@johnkriesel) April 20, 2025
Holy Hell. The words “LeBron James is not a complainer” just came out of @JayBilas mouth. pic.twitter.com/zWlsWnZUOM
— Zach Freimark (@zach_freimark) April 20, 2025
Did anyone else hear Jay Bilas say that LeBron James wasn’t a complainer lol you’ve gotta be kidding me
— jimmy lee (@jimmyleee1) April 20, 2025
The Lakers will try to even the series Tuesday night at 10 p.m. ET.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ESPN Announcer Ripped for Surprising Line About LeBron James During Lakers’ Loss.
