In a dramatic turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the semifinals of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament, thanks in part to a controversial timeout call by LeBron James.
With just 11 seconds left on the clock and a slim 105-103 advantage, the Lakers were poised to seal the game by successfully inbounding the ball, drawing a foul, and sinking two free throws. However, their intentions were thwarted by a sudden eruption of chaos.
Austin Reaves fumbled the ball, granting the Suns a chance to either level the score or emerge victorious. Fortunately, LeBron James exhibited exceptional foresight by promptly calling a timeout to retain possession.
The problem with this situation? Reaves didn’t seem to have possession of the ball when James called the timeout. Since the ball was loose, the timeout should not have been granted and the Suns should have been able to gain possession on the live ball.
The ball was DEFINITELY loose. I don’t see how the referees grant a timeout here. pic.twitter.com/ZlaxGXpCx6
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 6, 2023
While the referees stood by their call,
“During live play the official felt that LA still had possession of the ball when LeBron James requested the timeout. Through postgame video review in slow motion replay, we did see that Austin Reaves had his left hand on the ball while it’s pinned against his left leg, which does constitute control.”
NBA fans didn’t share this sentiment. Check out, how NBA Twitter reacted:
When LeBron seen the Suns tryna take the Lakers spot in the IST semifinals pic.twitter.com/j0KQfMdpt1
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) December 6, 2023
Give him the timeout pic.twitter.com/LIzW0eAfgo
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) December 6, 2023
you absolutely CANNOT call a timeout in that situation lmao
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) December 6, 2023
Oh wow the Lakers did not have possession of the ball when LeBron called timeout. Lucky that was called and the refs aren’t reviewing that
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 6, 2023
You can get a timeout there????
— Dom2K (@Dom_2k) December 6, 2023
Lakers shouldn’t have got that timeout …ball was completely loose
— In The Lab (@InTheLabBrand) December 6, 2023
Lakers got a timeout without possession LLLMMAAOO
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) December 6, 2023
How could they have given LeBron the timeout he was calling when Austin Reaves had already lost the ball? I also thought he traveled after catching the in-bounds pass from LeBron although he got bumped from behind.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 6, 2023
The first In-Season Tournament will forever be marred by controversy after that atrocious timeout call.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) December 6, 2023
The most controversial timeout awarded in In-Season Tournament history
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) December 6, 2023
LeBron called a timeout while the ball was rolling towards a Suns player. Adam Silver was in the earpiece.
— Hubie Talks Hoops (@HubieTalksHoops) December 6, 2023
Unbiased opinion: Lakers shouldn’t have been granted a timeout there.
Biased opinion: Heck yeah.
— Matthew Peralta (@_MatthewPeralta) December 6, 2023
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) December 6, 2023
“okay, lakers on three. 1…2…” pic.twitter.com/EgFlfeV4DR
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) December 6, 2023
Wow lol
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) December 6, 2023
