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Reaves, Redick Target Officiating After Lakers Lose to Thunder
TL;DR
Lakers guard Austin Reaves confronted officiating crew chief John Goble after the team's 125–107 loss to the Thunder. Coach JJ Redick criticized the officiating, claiming the Thunder players foul frequently without being penalized.
Key points
- Lakers lost to Thunder 125–107
- Austin Reaves confronted officiating crew chief John Goble
- JJ Redick criticized officiating in postgame press conference
- Redick claimed Thunder players foul frequently
- Thunder lead series 2–0 in Western Conference semifinals
LakersThunderAustin ReavesJJ Redick
It wasn’t the usual postgame huddle one typically sees at an NBA game.
On Thursday, Lakers guard Austin Reaves confronted crew chief John Goble at center court after the Thunder beat his team 125–107 to go up 2–0 in the Western Conference semifinals. The rest of the Lakers joined him.
Shortly after, Lakers coach JJ Redick lambasted the officiating in his postgame press conference.
“I sarcastically said the other day, they’re the most disruptive team without fouling,” Redick told reporters, referring to the Thunder. “I mean, they have a few guys that foul on every possession. … They’re hard enough to play. They’re hard enough to play, you’ve got to be able to just call them if they foul, and they do foul.”
It’s the latest in the officials’ increasingly personal and tense relationship with players and coaches that has hung over the past two NBA seasons. In December, Rockets coach Ime Udoka was fined $25,000 after he called one official “starstruck” after a Houston loss to the Nuggets in which three incorrect calls were made down the stretch. It came the same week in which Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff alleged his games weren’t being called fairly based on his interactions with officials.
The officials have clapped back with the National Basketball Referees Association’s X account posting its own take on some controversial calls. The collective bargaining agreement that was reached between the NBA and NBRA in 2022 expires in 2029.
As for Thursday night, Reaves followed Redick’s comments with some of his own.
Q&A
What did Austin Reaves say to the officiating crew after the game?
Austin Reaves confronted crew chief John Goble at center court, expressing his frustration over the officiating.
How did Lakers coach JJ Redick criticize the officiating?
JJ Redick lambasted the officiating in a press conference, sarcastically stating that the Thunder are disruptive without fouling.
What was the final score of the Lakers vs. Thunder game?
The final score was 125–107 in favor of the Thunder, giving them a 2–0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Why did JJ Redick mention the Thunder's fouling in his comments?
Redick highlighted that the Thunder players frequently foul on every possession, complicating the game for the Lakers.