LeBron James sends ‘personal’ message against referee

The Los Angeles Lakers missed a crucial opportunity to clinch a playoff berth for the 2024–25 NBA season, falling 136–120 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. The Purple and Gold briefly pulled ahead in the fourth quarter — with just under eight minutes remaining, Luka Doncic hit a layup to put the Lakers up 108–107.

But the momentum shifted instantly. Doncic was hit with a second technical foul and ejected from the game, leaving LA without one of its key playmakers. The Slovenian star claimed he had simply responded to a courtside Thunder fan, but the officials didn’t see it that way. From that moment on, the Lakers collapsed, outscored 29–12 to close the game.

LeBron James defends Luka Doncic

“I don’t know why the ref was taking it personal,” said LeBron James after the game. “He had already given Luka one [technical foul]. Luka knew that. Luka was going back and forth at that time with a fan that was sitting courtside, like Luka does.

“Fans get to talk shit, talk out of their minds, whatever the case may be, and Luka was going back and forth and the ref took it upon himself to think it was versus him, or whatever the case may be.”

James continued, “Then another technical on Vando [Jarred Vanderbilt] after a screen. It just got weird from there. This was a playoff-type environment. Both teams knew it would be intense — it had that postseason energy — and then it just unraveled.”

The loss keeps LA’s postseason status in limbo, and there’s no time to dwell. The team is back in action tomorrow night on the road against the Mavericks – a special game for Doncic, who will return to Dallas for the first time since his headline-grabbing trade.

LeBron on Luka’s Dallas return: “Winning is the best way to support him”

Asked about Doncic’s mindset heading into the reunion with his former team, LeBron was clear:“Whatever he needs. I think the best way to support him is to win.”

James added, “His situation is totally different from mine. I think he’ll get a standing ovation, the crowd will cheer, they’ll call his name – that’s what I expect. My situation was different. I had a choice. Luka didn’t, no matter what happened. That makes all the difference.”

As for the loss to the Thunder – the West’s current frontrunner and arguably the league’s top title contender – James acknowledged they were simply the better team on the night:

“Yeah, of course. That’s always the focus. We had our chances. They played exceptionally well. Credit to them – they shot the lights out. Now we turn the page and focus on Dallas.”

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