The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report assesses calls made late in games, and the league deemed the officials were correct with every call and non-call decided in the final minute of Sunday’s battle between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Suns lost a chippy, 116-114 game after a final minute included multiple reviews and calls that drew howling boos from the fans at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Moments of contention included a non-call on LeBron James’ contest of Dillon Brooks’ go-ahead 3-pointer, the decision to give Brooks a technical foul that kicked him out of the game and the foul on Devin Booker that sent James to the free-throw line with three seconds left.
The only decisions ruled incorrect on the L2M were an offensive foul non-call on Brooks with 1:38 left and an offensive foul non-call on Luka Doncic with 1:08 remaining. The non-call on Brooks came in transition, and Brooks ended up scoring on that possession to cut the Lakers’ lead to 111-106.
NBA defense key calls late in Suns-Lakers game
On the decision not to call a foul on James despite him making contact with Brooks:
James (LAL) contests to the side of Brooks (PHX) and would avoid making contact if not for Brooks extending his left leg/knee towards James.
On assessing Brooks a technical foul after he bumped James, who fell back to see the contact:
Brooks (PHX) is assessed a technical foul for unsportsmanlike physical contact with James (LAL) during a dead ball situation.
And on Booker’s foul in the closing seconds:
Replay review of the foul called on Booker (PHX) pursuant to a coach’s challenge was deemed unsuccessful. Booker initiates contact with James’ (LAL) right arm/wrist as he is starting his upward shooting motion.