The NBA admits two wrong decisions in the playoffs. Lakers star Luka Doncic is also affected by this.
The NBA confirmed on Monday that the referees in game four of the playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves overlooked a foul on Luka Doncic.
The Lakers were 113:11 on Sunday when Doncic was apparently deliberately brought down near the center line by Minnesotas Jaden McDaniels. Doncic kept possession of the ball when he went to the ground, the Lakers took a break.
However, Doncic would have had to get two free throws and would have had the chance to lead.
NBA playoffs: Knicks also disadvantaged
This was one of two unpainted fouls in the tight playoff games on Sunday. In the other encounter, New York Josh Josh Hart Detroits Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway received no free throws, and the Knicks won the game with 94:93. Shortly after the game, the NBA confirmed that Hardaway was actually fouled.
NBA confirms wrong decisions
“McDaniels is in Doncics, which means that he loses balance through illegal foot contact,” said the NBA on Monday in its last 2-minute report on the game Timberwolves against Lakers.
The NBA publishes these reports a day after games, in which the score in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter or the extension is three points or less.
Lakers Doncic and James react
Doncic summed it up: “I was definitely brought down,” he said. If the foul had been whistled, Doncic would have had the opportunity to compensate for the game or put the Lakers in the lead. Instead, Minnesota stole the following throw-in from LeBron James, and Anthony Edwards converted two free throws 10.9 seconds before the end to 116:11 lead.
This campaign also caused resentment among the Lakers. James claimed that he met Edwards on his hand, which in his opinion should have led to a loss of ball. The NBA checked the scene in real time and found that James hit Edwards on the wrist, which was considered a foul.
“This action is constantly happening,” said James after the game. “The hand is part of the ball. That was said. I have the feeling that the hand was part of this ball.”
Lakers and pistons before the end
Austin Reaves from the Lakers missed a potential balancing 3-point throw in the last game scene, and Minnesota won three points.
Both the Knicks and the Timberwolves lead 3-1 in their series after the victories on Sunday.
Detroit will compete against New York in game 5 of the series on Tuesday, while the Lakers received Minnesota on Wednesday.