The Los Angeles Lakers recently lost a close game, 119-115, against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. The outcome might have been different if the referee hadn’t ignored LeBron James’ timeout call in the final seconds of the game.
With a mere seven seconds left in the fourth quarter, Max Christie sought to deliver the ball to James. Prior to executing the pass, James tried to capture the referees’ attention for a critical timeout that would enable the team to reorganize strategically. Regrettably, the referee failed to notice his request. Consequently, Fred VanVleet seized the opportunity to intercept the inbound pass. This prompted James to commit a foul against VanVleet, resulting in the latter being awarded free throws.
Recently, Christie took partial blame for the missed timeout call, stating, “I shoulda called it too as an inbounder. I need to be more aware and make a better decision in that spot.”
Max on if LeBron called a timeout at the end: "I shoulda called it too as an inbounder. I need to be more aware and make a better decision in that spot."
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) January 6, 2025
Later, VanVleet converted both free throws, ensuring the Rockets’ triumph. Notably, had the referee acknowledged James’ request for a timeout, the Lakers might have equalized the score and potentially secured victory in overtime.
LeBron James Reflects On The Missed Timeout Call Against The Rockets
James scored 21 points, recorded 9 assists, and grabbed 13 rebounds in 36 minutes of play against the Rockets. After the narrow loss, James spoke about a missed timeout call. He acknowledged that the call should have been considered but clarified that he did not blame the missed call for the team’s loss.
“Absolutely. That’s why I called the timeout because I saw it go wrong. They played it good, stayed on top of everything. I saw Fred shoot a guy on top of me and I called timeout when Max definitely still had the ball in his hands. It wasn’t rewarded but that happens, you don’t lose a game because of that.” James said in a post-game interview.
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LeBron on the rebound discrepancy, trying to call a timeout on the inbounds play, The Thompson brothers' athleticism, and adjusting in the second half: pic.twitter.com/qTz4YsI68e
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 6, 2025
After their recent loss, the Lakers now sit in 5th place in the Western Conference standings. They have a record of 20 wins and 15 losses in the 2024-25 NBA regular season. Their next game is against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center
Also Read: LeBron James’ Youngest Son Bryce Announces Commitment To Major NCAA Basketball Program
