Dirk Nowitzki explains why JJ Redick’s referee complaints feel “brand new” after Lakers’ Game 2 loss

The Los Angeles Lakers are in deep trouble. Oklahoma City beat them 125–107 on Thursday to take a 2–0 lead in the Western Conference Semifinals, matching their 18-point margin from Game 1.

Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 22 for the Thunder, while Austin Reaves led LA with 31. Even with LeBron James scoring 23 in his 300th career playoff game, the Lakers' struggle continues.

Their 21 turnovers in Game 2 handed OKC 26 easy points. This follows a regular season disaster where the Thunder swept the Lakers 4–0, winning those games by nearly 30 points on average.

And with winning the first two games of the active series, history favors the Thunder because they have never lost a playoff series after winning the first two games.

Adding to the tension, Lakers coach JJ Redick has been vocal about the officiating. These complaints caught the attention of Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who noted that Redick’s frustration feels brand new to him.

After receiving a technical foul during the first half for arguing missed calls involving Reaves and Jaxson Hayes, Redick kept his critique going after the final buzzer. 

"I sarcastically said the other day they were the most disruptive team without fouling," Redick said. "I mean, they have a few guys that foul on every possession, and all the good defenses do."

He also called out LeBron's treatment, adding, "LeBron has the worst whistle of any star player I've ever seen. I mean, I've been with him two years now. He gets clobbered. He got clobbered again tonight a bunch." 

While James averaged over five free throw attempts per game in the regular season, he has only shot five total through the first two games of this series. The frustration is real, but so is the irony and Dallas Mavericks legend made sure everyone noticed.

Dirk Nowitzki puts Redick's referee complaints in a hilarious perspective

Following the Lakers’ Game 2 loss, Mavs icon Dirk Nowitzki responded to Redick’s complaints about officiating. 

"The Lakers are the team that usually always wins the FT battle," Nowitzki said. "This is a little new to them that they're getting clobbered a lot."

Nowitzki knows the feeling. In the 2006 Finals, his Mavericks blew a 2–0 lead against the Miami Heat after a series of controversial calls. In Game 5 alone, Dwyane Wade made 21 free throws, and the Heat shot 49 total. Nowitzki was so frustrated that he kicked the ball into the stands.

The Purple and Gold now find themselves in a similar 2–0 hole. While they typically benefit from the whistle, this time the calls aren't going their way against OKC. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

With Luka Doncic's status still uncertain due to a hamstring strain, the Lakers need to adjust quickly. Currently, Oklahoma City holds a 76.7% win probability to take the series.

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