The Los Angeles Lakers were able to center themselves a bit after a frustrating road trip by scoring a 107-97 victory on Saturday over the Houston Rockets. They showed plenty of defensive muscle in this game, as they held the Rockets to just a hair above 40% field-goal shooting while forcing 16 turnovers.
The outcome was virtually decided in the second quarter when L.A. outscored its opponent 35-14. Houston never really made things competitive, and apparently, the frustration boiled over in the fourth quarter when LeBron James and Houston head coach Ime Udoka exchanged words.
Both James and Udoka were hit with technical fouls, and since it was Udoka’s second technical, he was ejected.
Afterward, the Lakers superstar had a whimsical response when asked what he said to Udoka.
LeBron James on what he and Ime Udoka were discussing to warrant double technical fouls tonight: “Thanksgiving.” And on the string of techs he’s been picking up – three in L.A.’s last five games: “It’s a wild season” pic.twitter.com/WbfZ00ivJk
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 3, 2023
Udoka said something a little different when asked about the same incident.
I love Ime Udoka and his pettiness
he refuses to even use Lebron’s name just says, me and “the player” 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/u2gTyJR1hB— Jacob 🦴 (@Jacobtheclipper) December 3, 2023
Reportedly, it started when Udoka told a Lakers player, presumably James, to stop complaining about the officiating while using a sexist slur.
Udoka’s squad will not get another crack at James and his crew until Jan. 29, when the two teams will meet in Texas. That game will be the second game of the Lakers’ six-game “Grammy” road trip.
Los Angeles currently leads its season series with the Rockets two games to one.
