With the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves playoff series looking like it’s going the distance, the NBA officials again became the center of attention. Throughout the regular season, fans called out the officials for their refereeing standards, and Luka Dončić was at the heart of it for the umpteenth time.
Having a slight one-point lead over the Lakers in the 4th quarter, 39.5 seconds, Dončić received the inbound pass and looked to charge ahead. With no screens set for him, he tried to dribble past Jaden McDaniels as he tripped to the floor after receiving contact from the Timberwolves wingman. The officials didn’t deem it a foul, as the Slovenian guard called a timeout, visibly frustrated.
And once again, the internet basketball community took their case on incorrect officiating.
Fans React to Lakers’ Luka Dončić’s No-Call for a Trip by Jaden McDaniels
With the game heading for a close finish, this call changed the course of the match, according to some, although the Lakers must improve to get past the Timberwolves in the future. One user commented, “So rigged 💀. They better gift us this next game on a platter 🫡.”
So rigged 💀
They better gift us this next game on a platter 🫡
— Justin Cabs (@Capsizing__) April 28, 2025
The NBA officially commented on the foul: “McDaniels (MIN) steps forward into Dončić’s (LAL) path, initiating illegal foot contact that causes him to lose his balance.”
There has been a growing narrative regarding Dončić and the officials. In a regular-season match against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers guard made a bucket and trash-talked to a fan courtside. The referee, J.T. Orr, believed the words meant for him and ejected Dončić for the trash-talking. He received his second technical and got tossed out of the game.
Dončić’s fierce competitive mentality usually gets him into trouble, and the McDaniels no-call would have irked him. One fan posted the video and mentioned, “Instead of giving us free throws to take the lead, refs ignored the obvious foul, which made the Lakers blow their final timeout. Refs decided this game.”
Instead of giving us free throws to take the lead, refs ignored the obvious foul which made the Lakers blow their final timeout.
Refs decided this gamepic.twitter.com/pdUi9LGTDP
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 28, 2025
Another user pointed out a kicked ball that became a turnover in the fourth quarter. The user stated, “The refs also missed a kicked ball call that ended up being a turnover in the 4th quarter.”
With the Lakers trailing the series 3-1, one user angrily exclaimed, “Series should be tied 2-2.” The Timberwolves got the advantage, edging them slightly in the FG% with 45.0 to 42.2, and completed the victory with a scoreline of 116-113.
“NBA needs a ref overhaul,” posted a user, stating the quality of the officiating. Another user stated, “Is it not insane how many game-defining calls the refs are blatantly missing this postseason?”
The calls for better referees intensified this season, just like in the past years of the NBA. Moreover, according to some, this game provided a catalog of officials’ errors, with Anthony Edwards producing the league’s first double euro step.
It was clear travel for many, but the officials missed the play as fans got infuriated. Amidst all the blame from the officials, the Lakers must improve to get back into the series. Most fans pointed that out, too.