The refs gave the Lakers a timeout during a loose ball to preserve their win over the Suns in the in-season tournament.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are two veteran teams with dreams of competing late in the Western Conference Playoffs this season. While there’s a lot of basketball to play before then, Tuesday night’s matchup in the NBA in-season tournament quarterfinals offered a glimpse of single-elimination basketball with a playoff atmosphere pumping through LA.
The Lakers beat the Suns, 106-103, to advance to the final four of the in-season tournament. Los Angeles locked down the victory thanks to a controversial decision from the refs to award the Lakers a timeout when it appeared they didn’t have the ball.
With under 10 seconds left in the game, the Lakers inbounded the ball to Austin Reaves. When Suns guard Devin Booker made light contact with Reaves from behind, the Lakers guard bobbled the ball, and Suns forward Kevin Durant rushed in to grab it. Just as the ball trickled out, the refs gave the Lakers a timeout. After a closer look, it seems obvious the Lakers didn’t have possession of the ball when the refs gave them a timeout. Watch the play here:
The Suns did get one last chance after Anthony Davis missed the second of his free throws on the ensuing possession, but Kevin Durant’s last second shot fell short. The Lakers now face the New Orleans Pelicans for the right to play in the NBA in-season tournament championship game. The Milwaukee Bucks face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference final. Follow the in-season tournament with our living post here.
The Suns sure seemed to force the late turnover they needed to have a chance to tie or take the lead just before the clock expired. Unfortunately for them, the refs gave LA a timeout. Social media couldn’t believe it. Everyone agreed the Suns got screwed.
I’d be so heated if I was a Suns fan. That was rubbish
— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) December 6, 2023
Dude you cannot give them a timeout during a LOOSE BALL
— Daniel Olinger (@dan_olinger) December 6, 2023
To say suns have gotten hosed by refs is a understatement
— B-L-M, Anthony is a bully (@advancedstats23) December 6, 2023
That is a call you just can’t get wrong. Wasn’t close. Shockingly bad call.
— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) December 6, 2023
glad the in season tournament gives the refs a new showcase for their talents
— sreekar (@sreekyshooter) December 6, 2023
Ref for sure had Lakers ML … ain’t no way lol
— John Henson (@Johnhenson31) December 6, 2023
Even Tyrese Haliburton, whose Pacers are in the final four of the in-season tournament thanks to his electric play, thought the call was, uh, questionable.
Devin Booker immediately posted a screenshot of the play to Instagram after the game:
The Lakers are going to Las Vegas for the final four. The refs get the assist.
