The Phoenix Suns appeared to steal the ball late in their In-Season Tournament quarterfinal against the Los Angeles Lakers with a chance to tie the game.
That was until the referees awarded LeBron James a controversial timeout, allowing the Lakers a chance to keep possession of the ball.
The timeout was awarded to James even though it looked like Lakers guard Austin Reaves had already lost possession of the ball.
Suns head coach Frank Vogel was asked about the explanation the referees provided him for the controversial call, to which he replied bluntly.
“Not a good one,” Vogel said.
Vogel, who previously coached James and the Lakers, felt like his new team was robbed of a chance to send the game to overtime.
“We were ready to tie the game up and that opportunity was taken away from us,” Vogel said.
He also wondered why the officials refused to review the play.
“Can’t call a timeout on a loose ball. Can’t do it,” Vogel explained. “So when the whistle blows, everything in the league is reviewable, so I don’t know why that can’t be reviewable.”
Suns star Devin Booker was also miffed by the controversial call.
“We’re not asking for favouritism, just a fair chance,” Booker told reporters after the game.
The Lakers went on to win the game 106-103 and advance to the In-Season Tournament semifinals in Las Vegas.
James finished with 31 points, 15 of which he scored in the final quarter. The 38-year-old is clearly motivated to win the inaugural NBA Cup.
“You got the greatest competitors in the world fighting for something, so let’s fight,” James said after the game.
The Lakers will take on the New Orleans Pelicans in the semifinals on Thursday.