Coach JJ Redick sharply criticized the officiating after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 125-107 Game 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, following a center-court confrontation between guard Austin Reaves and crew chief John Goble, the report says.
Redick told reporters he has watched the Thunder play in ways that are disruptive without being penalized and said officials have failed to call repeated fouls. The coach received a technical foul in the first quarter after he loudly addressed referee Ben Taylor about what he viewed as missed calls, the report says.
Redick also singled out the lack of foul calls on LeBron James, noting a large drop in James’ free-throw opportunities this series compared with the regular season and saying the star has not received consistent whistles. The report says James scored 23 points on 9-for-18 shooting with six assists in Game 2 and showed visible frustration with several no-call moments during the contest.
The report cites multiple moments that angered the Lakers: James absorbed contact on a layup and landed on his right hip without a whistle, was assessed an offensive foul after contact with Alex Caruso who went to the floor, and missed a potential three-point play when a continuation shot did not count after a foul on Cason Wallace was ruled only on the floor.
Austin Reaves, who approached Goble with just under six minutes left in the fourth quarter after a timeout, described an exchange in which he felt the official yelled at him while players were taking position for a center-court jump ball. Reaves said he had been respectful all night and that he believed the official’s reaction was inappropriate, per the report.
When asked about the overall issue, the report says James summed up the situation succinctly: “We’re down 2-0.” The comments left the Lakers openly critical of officiating as the series moves forward, the report adds.
