Lakers News: Official Defends Controversial Late-Game Call On Botched LeBron James 3

This was simply the wrong call.

Your Los Angeles Lakers' 108-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night was a heartbreaker, as not only did it spoil LeBron James' birthday, but it was marred in a controversial call, and now leaves the Lakers with a disappointing 17-16 record. 

Here's a look at the controversial call that ultimately led to a LeBron James three-point make being ruled a two-point basket, leading to the Lakers trailing by one, instead of tying the game with 2.3 seconds left:

LeBron James : 26 points on 10-21 shooting, 1-4 from 3, 5-7 from the FT line, 6 assists & 3 steals in 39 minutes (Made what was initially the game-tying 3 with 2.3 seconds left but the refs ruled it as a 2-point shot via instant replay) pic.twitter.com/yAUAjlpzoZ

— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) December 31, 2023

The officials ruled the shot a two-pointer in real-time, which meant that they would've needed "clear and conclusive" evidence to overturn the call.

They spent extensive time at the monitor and contacting the league office in Secaucus, New Jersey, where they ultimately came to the conclusion that it was a 2-point shot. 

Here's what the officials had to say about it after the game:

Tonight’s pool report on LeBron James’ 2-point field goal: pic.twitter.com/HZiyAK5OZh

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) December 31, 2023

Clearly, the lack of "clear and concrete" evidence is what kept the call a two-point shot, as if it was originally ruled a 3-pointer, there probably would've been insufficient evidence the other way, keeping it a three-ball. 

It's hard to really tell what the officials were thinking in real-time, as obviously James was looking to take a three-pointer to tie the game. More importantly, his feet are clearly behind the three-point line, making you wonder what exactly they say two instigate a two-point ruling in the first place.

The subjectivity of "clear and concrete" evidence doesn't help either, as there's no real bright-line as to what constitutes evidence being "clear and concrete," as his feet are already behind the line, yet that was considered a two-point shot. 

The Lakers may not have won this game in overtime, but the fact that an opportunity to play for an extra five minutes after a poorly officiated game all-around was taken from LA is tough to stomach. Let's see if they can bounce back this evening against New Orleans.