Frustrations have reached a new high for LeBron James and the Lakers.
Despite leading the Nuggets by as many as 20 points in the third quarter of Game 2, the Lakers face a 2-0 series deficit after Jamal Murray completed Denver's comeback with a game-winner at the buzzer.
As devastating as the game's final moments were, LA's frustrations come from the officiating that happened along the way. In a brief rant, James expressed his displeasure with the officiating in Game 2 before a prompt exit from the podium.
Here's why LA's star was frustrated enough to end his postgame interview uncharacteristically.
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LeBron James postgame interview
Following the 101-99 loss, James was asked how the Lakers would bounce back from a devastating defeat.
After calling the loss "heartbreaking," LA's superstar used the question to give his thoughts on the officiating and the NBA's replay center.
"I don't understand what's going on in the replay center, to be honest," James said. "I think I said it this year or last year or whatever — [D'Angelo Russell] clearly gets hit on the face on the drive — what the f— do we have a replay center (for) if it's going to go — it makes no sense to me."
James' statement was about a play late in the third quarter of Game 2. With the Lakers leading by 10 points, Russell drove to the basket and was met with contact from Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., who was whistled for a foul.
Denver head coach Michael Malone signaled a coach's challenge and the call was overturned due to "marginal contact" on the arm, though Porter also appeared to strike Russell across the face.
Michael Porter Jr. hit D'Angelo Russell in the face. MPJ was called for a foul which was then challenged.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 23, 2024
Nuggets won the challenge.
Thought? 🤔pic.twitter.com/X01ufZXX4g
Russell later took to X (formerly Twitter) to post, "That's a foul we all saw it on national television."
Instead of Russell stepping to the charity stripe line to potentially give LA a 12-point lead, the Lakers took a 10-point lead into the final frame. In a two-point loss, that sequence stands out as one of many crucial swings.
James continued, referencing Game 2 between the 76ers and Knicks, a series that has been controversial enough for Philadelphia to consider filing a grievance with the league.
"It bothers me," the 39-year-old piled on. "Sorry, I didn't answer your question but that s— is like — and then I just saw what happened with the Sixers-Knicks game, too. What are we doing?"
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The question appeared to be one James wants the media to ponder over. "What are we doing?" were the superstar's final words before placing the microphone down and ending his media availability just four minutes in.
James' issues with the replay center are longstanding. In late December, he asked, "What's the point of having replay if even the replay gets it wrong?" while referring to the decision-making official in the replay center as "somebody over there eating a ham sandwich."
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In addition to James and Russell, Anthony Davis and Lakers head coach Darvin Ham expressed their frustrations postgame, with Davis exiting the podium in a manner similar to James.
LA, which has now lost 10 consecutive games to Denver, has two days to regroup before Thursday's Game 3. In addition to preparing for another battle with the defending champs, the team may want to prepare to receive a few memos from the league office.
