Tensions were high during the Los Angeles Lakers’ Thursday night playoff clash vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers’ primary goal was to even the series at one game apiece, while the Thunder were looking to apply extreme pressure on the 17-time NBA champions by capturing their second consecutive home victory and providing them with a 2-0 series deficit.
Ultimately, the Thunder got the best of the Lakers, catching fire in the second half and securing a dominant 125-105 victory. Unfortunately for Oklahoma City, questionable officiating has overshadowed their impressive performance, as several missed calls helped the defending champs pull away from Los Angeles.
Lakers star Austin Reaves wasn’t pleased with the way the game was being called or with one referee's hostility towards him, leading the 6-foot-5 guard to send him an NSFW message.
“That’s some (expletive) for you to talk to me like that… (expletive),” Reaves stated in the middle of the contest before being ushered back to his bench.
Needless to say, that particular referee pushed Reaves to his breaking point, and the Oklahoma product refused to mince his words. Reaves finished the contest with 31 points, six assists, and two rebounds while shooting 62.5% from the field and 50% from three in the loss.
While the Lakers’ second-round series isn’t over yet, it’s starting to look like a second-round playoff exit is in the cards for the franchise.
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