NBA fans were outraged as the referees sealed the Lakers’ fate by ejecting Luka Doncic for jaw-jacking with a fan sitting courtside.
In one of the most controversial wins in recent memory, the OKC Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in their second consecutive game.
It was a very competitive and back-and-forth game, but you wouldn’t guess that looking at the 120-136 scoreline.
Well, that is because early into the fourth quarter, the referees bizarrely gave Luka Doncic his second technical and ejected him from the game, effectively killing the Lakers’ chances.
Prior to that, the Lakers actually had the lead and looked like the better team. Of course, such an exciting contest being decided by the refs was bound to draw fan criticism.
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Taking to X, several fans voiced their frustration with the officials for ejecting Luka Doncic. Many felt that the refs tried to make Doncic’s interaction with a fan about them
One fan quoted Ayesha Curry’s infamous post after Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, “I’ve lost all respect sorry this is absolutely rigged for money… Or ratings im not sure which. I won’t be silent.”
“They’re ruining the sport,” said another frustrated neutral fan. While another Lakers fan called out the refs’ intentions by saying, “They’re absolutely trying to give OKC the game.”
“Ref really took a fan interaction and made it about himself,” bemoaned one aggrieved viewer. “OKC needed refs to sell so they could win,” pointed out a fan who saw the tide change after Doncic’s ejection.
“Apparently, if you have money, you can buy a front seat and say whatever you want. But when the player talk back to you, the refs will eject them,” said one furious patron.
However, not everyone was sympathetic. One fan said, “Nah, bro, Luka just needs to shut up and stop whining at the refs.”
If you’re the Los Angeles Lakers, you have every right to be upset. The Lakers looked like they were getting the best of the Thunder for a second game in a row.
While Doncic should have been more careful, that is no excuse for the refs to dish out frivolous techs. It ruined what was a brilliant game from the Lakers up to that point.
Doncic clearly was talking to a fan sitting courtside. But the referees chose to make it about themselves. And in doing so, cost the Lakers a massive win.
This win could have helped the Lakers secure the third seed tonight. But instead, the Lakers now have to focus on playing the second of a difficult back-to-back against Anthony Davis and the Mavericks.
