The Suns believe they got hosed against the Lakers.
A controversial timeout helped the Lakers escape with a 106-103 win in their In-Season Tournament contest Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
The Suns believe Austin Reaves lost possession late in the game and there should have been a turnover, but the Lakers instead received a timeout that retained possession.
Devin Booker and coach Frank Vogel both fumed after the game, with the star guard later posting a screenshot on Instagram that seemingly supported his belief that the refs blew the call.
“You know what happened Duane, I know what you trying to do,” Booker said to reporter Duane Rankin when asked about the play. “The whole world seen it. I just got off social media and other players around the league seen it, so it is what it is.
“Refs miss calls sometimes, but when they’re a bit this obvious it’s tough.”
The Lakers led 105-103 with 11.2 seconds remaining when LeBron James inbounded to Austin Reaves, who lost control of the ball while trying to dribble away from Booker.
The Suns would have gained possession with roughly seven seconds remaining, but referee Tom Washington awarded James a timeout that nullified the loose ball.
“During live play the official felt that LA still had possession of the ball when LeBron James requested the timeout,” Crew Chief Josh Tiven said in the pool report, as posted on X by the Los Angeles Times. “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.”
Anthony Davis was then fouled on the ensuing possession and hit one of two free throws to push the lead to three points. Kevin Durant missed a potential game-tying three-pointer on the ensuing possession.
Booker said he didn’t receive an explanation from the referees.
“When they put so much anticipation on the game,” Booker said, “we’re not asking for favoritism, just a fair chance.”
Vogel also openly criticized the referees.
“You can’t call a timeout on a loose ball,” Vogel said. “You can’t do it. So if the whistle blows, I don’t know why — everything in the league is reviewable — I don’t know why that can’t be reviewable. I know it’s not a foul or an out of bounds, which is like a challenge.
“But at any point in the game the whistle blows inadvertently, the ref can huddle up and say ‘inadvertent whistle.’ Where were we at during the game? And that did not happen. Extremely disappointing.”
The Lakers now take on the Pelicans in the In-Season Tournament semifinals on Thursday in Las Vegas.