The NBA confirmed referees handled a controversial moment correctly late in the Lakers’ 106-103 win over the Suns on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena.
Leading 105-103 with 7.4 seconds left, the Lakers inbounded the ball to guard Austin Reaves. He was swarmed by defenders and quickly lost control of the ball.
Reaves would have turned the ball over, but teammate LeBron James called a timeout. Phoenix players and fans disagreed that Reaves had control of the ball when James motioned “timeout” to a nearby official.
In the “Last Two Minute Report” released Wednesday, the NBA stood by the referees’ decision to issue the timeout.
“LAL is granted a timeout when Reaves (LAL) recovers the ball and pins it against his leg, before he loses it again,” the report stated.
The Lakers’ 106-103 victory Tuesday over the Suns to advance to the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals featured a controversial call in the closing seconds.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 6, 2023
L.A. was granted a timeout during what seemed to be a loose ball.
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After the timeout, the Lakers inbounded the ball again, and center Anthony Davis knocked down one of two free-throw attempts to close out the win.
The “Last Two Minute Report” did reveal three incorrect no-calls, however.
The league stated Reaves should have been whistled for a reaching foul on Grayson Allen with 1:34 left. The Suns also should have been called for two fouls on Davis and James while fighting for a rebound with around 43 seconds to play.
Los Angeles and Phoenix will have to wait over a month for their fourth and final regular-season matchup—a Jan. 11 rematch at Crypto.com Arena.
