The conclusion of Saturday’s clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena was marred by a series of replay reviews and shot clock malfunctions, significantly impacting the flow of the game.
The Warriors emerged victorious with a 128-121 win, bolstering their playoff aspirations, while the Lakers slid to 10th place in the Western Conference standings following the defeat.
Addressing the media post-game, Lakers’ standout LeBron James lamented the sequence of events that unfolded in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, labeling it as “unfortunate.” He stressed the importance of getting calls right, despite the disruption to the game’s rhythm.
Head coach Darvin Ham of the Lakers echoed James’ sentiments, describing the delays as challenging and emphasizing how they disrupted the flow of the game. He also highlighted a missed shot clock violation call that benefited the Warriors earlier in the game, juxtaposed with a rescinded three-point shot by LeBron James after a review.
On the winning side, Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr expressed frustration with the prolonged replay reviews and malfunctioning shot clock, deeming the situation as bizarre and extreme. He particularly criticized the rule allowing referees to retrospectively review out-of-bounds calls, citing it as a source of occasional controversy.
The first hiccup occurred when officials deliberated extensively on whether LeBron James had stepped out of bounds during a corner three-pointer. Subsequently, a coach’s challenge by Ham prompted another review involving Draymond Green and Austin Reaves. The malfunctioning shot clock further exacerbated the situation, with the PA announcer stepping in to relay the time.
Rob Perez noted that the final two minutes of the game stretched to over 23 minutes, significantly prolonging the contest’s conclusion.
Given both teams’ playoff aspirations at this crucial juncture of the season, the disrupted rhythm of the game’s closing moments was disappointing for all involved. As they gear up for a rematch on April 9, both the Lakers and the Warriors will be hoping for a smoother and more decisive finish.
