After failing to execute down the stretch, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 116-113 road defeat during Sunday’s Game 4 first-round playoff clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Afterward, Lakers coach JJ Redick claimed that a late-game no-call hurt his team’s chances. However, NBA fans pushed back, questioning the rookie coach’s judgment.
JJ Redick Blasts Officials for Missed Foul Against Luka Dončić
After leading by 12 points late in the third quarter, L.A. struggled to generate offense over the final 12 minutes. It got outscored 32-19, with Timberwolves rising superstar shooting guard Anthony Edwards recording 16 of his game-high 43 points in the frame.
Nevertheless, the Lakers had an opportunity to take the lead late, trailing 114-113. Superstar guard Luka Dončić, who finished with a team-best 38 points, pushed the ball up the court against full-court pressure from Minnesota forward Jaden McDaniels. The five-time All-Star got tripped up, but no call was made, resulting in him needing to call a timeout from the floor with 33 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing play, McDaniels stole L.A. superstar forward LeBron James’ inbounds pass. That allowed Edwards to run down the clock before driving to the rim, slipping and losing control of the ball with 10.7 seconds left. The Timberwolves successfully challenged the call, leading to the three-time All-Star being awarded two free throws, which he converted to put his team ahead 116-113.
Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves then missed a game-tying corner 3-point attempt, after which the Purple and Gold fell behind 3-1 in their best-of-seven series.
Following the game, Redick voiced his displeasure with the officiating against Dončić, noting that he should have secured a critical trip to the charity stripe.
“Let’s just start with Luka got tripped,” Redick said. “I mean, that was a blatant trip. He doesn’t just fall on his own. We watched it. He gets tripped. So, we should have been at the free-throw line. It’s not an excuse for why we lost, but he got fouled.”
NBA Fans Challenge JJ Redick’s Game 4 Officiating Complaint
Fans on X didn’t take too kindly to Redick’s gripe with the officials. Many called out the former sharpshooter for zeroing in on a bang-bang call, with some asserting that Dončić’s knack for flopping may have influenced it.
“So you need the refs to win,” one fan said.
“He falls down on his own all the time. More than any NBA player,” another wrote.
“You don’t get calls when your team is constantly flopping,” one user remarked.
“I love JJ but that was not a foul unc,” another added.
Meanwhile, others called for Redick to own up to the loss after his top players fizzled out amid his decision not to make any second-half substitutions.
“Zero accountability. Every coach knows it shouldn’t come down to 1 play. Lakers had plenty of chances to close out that game. Up 10 in the fourth and blew it,” one fan said.
“Maybe take accountability for your lack of substitutions rather than play the blame game w the refs,” another reasoned.
Dončić and James combined for just seven fourth-quarter points on 1-for-8 shooting (12.5%), with the latter going scoreless. So, Redick may need to rethink his game plan with his squad facing elimination as the series transitions back to L.A. for Wednesday’s Game 5 matchup.