LeBron James unleashes on NBA referees after Lakers' loss to 76ers: 'Frustrating as hell'
James used Twitter to share his distain for how recent Lakers games have been officiated
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Los Angeles Lakers are more than halfway through another disappointing season.
After a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, superstar LeBron James expressed his frustration with how referees have called several games involving the Lakers this season.
In the final seconds of the Lakers-Sixers game, guard Russell Westbrook attempted to drive to the basket against seven foot center Joel Embiid. Westbrook threw the basketball up out of desperation as time expired, and the Lakers lost 112-113.
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LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
After the game, Westbrook mentioned that he believed the referees should have blown the whistle and called a foul on Embiid during the play.
"I couldn't get my hand up to shoot because [Embiid] was grabbing it," Westbrook said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Monday, a report from the NBA noted that officials were correct by not calling a foul.
"Embiid slightly extends his arm before retracting it and marginal arm contact occurs with Westbrook during the driving shot attempt," the league's Last Two Minute Report explained.
LAKERS’ LEBRON JAMES SOUNDS OFF ON NO-CALL AT END OF REGULATION AGAINST MAVS: ‘THAT S--- IS BLATANT’
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But James seemed to take exception to the league's determination, and the four-time NBA champion took to Twitter to voice his displeasure.
He responded to a tweet that called attention to the ending of two recent Lakers games, in which no-calls became deciding factors in each game.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
"And all year they keep telling me to my face on the court, 'I didn't see it' or 'It wasn't a foul,'" James wrote. "It's not making sense to me seriously! Frustrating as hell man! Anyways keep going Squad!"
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Other Twitter users decided to post different videos and screenshots of the final possession to highlight Emiid grabbing Westbrook's wrist as he drove toward the basket.
The Lakers-Sixers matchup was the second straight game that had a controversial ending, in which officiating was the main storyline.
The Lakers' game against the Dallas Mavericks went into double overtime on Friday. The game was not decided in regulation because Troy Brown Jr.'s three-point shot attempt with under three seconds remaining was blocked by Tim Hardaway Jr.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Los Angeles Lakers forward dLeBron James is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Hardaway did appear to make contact with Brown’s hand, causing him to fall to the floor. James immediately protested the no-call. The Lakers went in the extra periods.
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A Last Two Minute Report following the Lakers-Mavericks game revealed that the referees did miss a foul call at the end of the first overtime, as James tried to make what would have been the game's winning basket.