The Unusual Finish to the Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game: A Bizarre Ending Marred by a Broken Clock and Controversial Call
The Golden State Warriors secured a hard-fought victory over the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 128-121 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. However, the game’s ending was far from ordinary as a malfunctioning clock and a controversial call added an unprecedented 23-minute delay to the final minutes of the game.
With less than two minutes remaining and the Lakers trailing by just four points, it seemed that the latest installment in this storied NBA rivalry was on track for an exhilarating conclusion. Yet, fate had other plans.
LeBron James, the Lakers’ leading scorer, netted a three-pointer with less than two minutes on the clock. However, officials ruled that he had stepped out of bounds before releasing the ball, resulting in the elimination of the basket and a significant increase in the Warriors’ lead to seven points with just 1:50 remaining.
The shot clock then malfunctioned, leaving everyone baffled. Despite numerous attempts to restart the game and fix the clock, referees ultimately determined that the arena PA announcer would announce the time left on the clock at five-second intervals in real time.
James, who finished the game with a season-high 40 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, was understandably disappointed about the turn of events. “I’ve never seen that be called before like that – in that particular time,” he commented to ESPN. “That was kind of weird. … It took some momentum away from us.”
The Warriors’ star player, Steph Curry, contributed 31 points to the team’s victory as he made his return after a three-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. Klay Thompson chipped in 26 points from the bench.
The unconventional ending was a disappointment for both teams and their fans, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressing his frustration afterward. “That was a great game and all of a sudden, the last two minutes everyone is just kind of looking at each other wondering what to do,” he remarked.
Throughout the game, the teams had been evenly matched, with the loss of Anthony Davis and his defensive presence allowing the Warriors to capitalize on opportunities within the paint. However, the game’s “flow” was disrupted following the challenge to James’ three-pointer, according to Kerr. He voiced his opinion that he would “love to see that rule go away.”
Despite the controversy, James acknowledged that the referees were only doing their job. “It was unfortunate what happened,” he admitted, “but they have a job to do, and they have to do it the best they can.”
The game’s unusual ending was an unexpected twist in an otherwise closely contested performance between these two storied franchises. While the outcome may not have been ideal, it is certain that both teams and their fans will be talking about this bizarre episode for a long time to come.
