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One of the best games of the NBA weekend had plenty of controversy in the final moments.
As Game 4 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves came to a close on Sunday, there was a key moment in the final minute that swung the game in Minnesota’s favor. After Jaden McDaniels’ and-one gave the Timberwolves a lead, he pressured Luka Doncic as he brought the ball up the floor and caused Doncic to fall and call a timeout.
After the timeout, the Lakers turned the ball over on the inbounds, leading to a possession that ended in Anthony Edwards free throws. While there was contact made by McDaniels, there was no foul called when Doncic brought the ball up the floor. With the Lakers in the bonus, a whistle on that play would have given them a chance to regain the lead.
Unsurprisingly, Lakers coach JJ Redick was unhappy with the officials’ decision not to call a foul.
“Luka got tripped,” Redick said. “That was a blatant trip. He doesn’t just fall on his own.”
Redick continued to complain about the officiating on that play in his postgame press conference, saying Doncic should have been at the foul line. While there won’t be any clarity on the play until the last-two-minute report drops tomorrow, there is no doubt that the Lakers fully believe their star was fouled.
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Considering how tight the game was down the stretch and that play coming in between a couple of Timberwolves possessions that ended in free throws, the Lakers have a right to be upset. A potential call on that play might have been the difference between an even series and the 3-1 hole the Lakers are now staring at.
Although the Lakers can be upset about the officiating in the immediate aftermath of Game 4, their focus must quickly shift to Game 5 as they look to save their season.
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