Eric Lewis, an NBA referee who has been embroiled in controversy lately, retired on Wednesday.
The league had opened an investigation into him after a burner account was discovered that was presumed to belong to him. Reportedly, photos of his relatives wearing Boston Celtics jerseys were discovered by fans of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Buy Lakers TicketsLewis spent 19 seasons as an NBA official, during which he officiated over 1,000 games, which included 82 playoff games and six contests in the NBA Finals. As a result of him deciding to retire, the league announced it would end its investigation into his social media activity.
NBA referee Eric Lewis is retiring in the aftermath of his social media activity. pic.twitter.com/i1z5H9oLle
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 30, 2023
Lewis was involved in one of the most controversial moments of the 2022-23 season for the Lakers.
Lewis may have cost the Lakers a big victory
On Jan. 28, the Lakers visited the Boston Celtics for the latest entry in the sport’s most storied rivalry. With four seconds left in the fourth quarter and the score tied at 105, LeBron James drove to the basket and missed a layup attempt. Television replays showed he clearly was hacked by Jayson Tatum, but no foul call was made.
Before the start of the extra period, L.A. guard Patrick Beverley showed Lewis a photo of the foul that was in a photo camera, only to get hit with a technical foul by Lewis.
It was a non-call that left James irate and allowed the Celtics to win 125-121.
