When is a timeout NOT a timeout?
In the NBA, it’s simple: You can only call a timeout when the ball is in your control or there’s a dead ball.
And on Tuesday night, in the Los Angeles Lakers’ In-Season Tournament win over the Phoenix Suns, there was a BIG question about a late timeout being called as Suns players were around Austin Reaves and the ball may have not been in the guard’s possession while LeBron James called for time.
What’s the deal here? What are the rules? Why are the Suns so mad? Let’s dive in with all of that:
What happened?
The ball was DEFINITELY loose. I don't see how the referees grant a timeout here. pic.twitter.com/ZlaxGXpCx6
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 6, 2023
Check out the video above. Reaves has the ball and is surrounded by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. At some point, at the top end of the court, you’ll see James put his hands together for a timeout. What you CAN’T see is where the ball is with Reaves before it popped out … and THEN the whistle blows.
So, if the ball was in Reaves’ possession and James made that call, it could stand. But we can’t tell from that angle.
What's the NBA's rule here?
From the NBA rulebook, it’s two sentences:
A request for a timeout by a player in the game or the head coach shall be granted only when the ball is dead or in control of a player on the team making the request. A request at any other time shall be ignored.
The key there is “in control.”
What did officials say about it?
Official says Austin Reaves had his left hand on the ball while it was pinned against his left leg, which constitutes control of the ball, which is why the Lakers were awarded the timeout that effectively decided the game tonight. pic.twitter.com/xw4cwhEB6x
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) December 6, 2023
At some point in the scrum, apparently Reaves had the ball pinned against his leg. This angle doesn’t really show it as far as I can tell:
1. Booker and KD tackling Reaves
2. Booker kicks the ball
Ya’ll can keep crying though 😂
pic.twitter.com/R98tzK4n7h— 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) December 6, 2023
What did Devin Booker say?
He was mad about it both with reporters and on Instagram:
Devin Booker on the Lakers being granted a timeout while there seemed to be a loose ball: “We’re not asking for favoritism, just a fair chance.”
Full comments: pic.twitter.com/feSuW3Nmxt
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 6, 2023
"The whole world seen it."
Devin Booker on Austin Reaves turning the ball over on his trap with Kevin Durant late in #Suns loss to #Lakers.
Lakers were granted a timeout instead and the play wasn't reviewable was the explanation Frank Vogel was given. pic.twitter.com/WY49rituXs
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 6, 2023
Devin Booker to his Instagram story just now lol 😂 #Suns #Lakers #NBA pic.twitter.com/3OFxEJMaBw
— Suns Geek (@sunsgeek) December 6, 2023
What did LeBron James say about it?
Here’s what LeBron said about his timeout call: pic.twitter.com/jeJYt9Ulq8
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) December 6, 2023
He didn’t say much beyond that he called a timeout and that his attention was toward the referee, which is the exact right thing to say.
Was it reviewable?
Suns coach Frank Vogel said referees told him they couldn’t review Lakers’ last timeout on Austin Reaves scramble. Vogel wanted inadvertent whistle & said call hurt worse because of tourney stakes.
“We were ready to tie the game up and that opportunity was taken away from us.” pic.twitter.com/4y2rcJTRaS— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) December 6, 2023
Ask Suns coach Frank Vogel about that.
Here it is in slow motion
SLOW-MO Showing Exactly When Bron Called Timeout. Reaves Had Possession! pic.twitter.com/UrKvFSxmNe
— Ethan Price (@Paradox_EP) December 6, 2023
You make the call.
