The Los Angeles Lakers walked into Barclays Center on Monday, March 10, expecting a bounce-back win after suffering a shocking defeat against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, March 8. Instead, they walked away with a frustrating 111-108 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
And let’s just say, Lakers’ superstar, Luka Dončić wasn’t happy, especially with the officiating. After the game, he cheekily vented his anger, digging at the referees but not going too hard.
Luka Dončić Expresses Frustration Over Officiating
After the tragic defeat, Dončić looked frustrated and didn’t mince words when asked how things played out.
“Yeah, in the end, it was a lot. It wasn’t fair,” Dončić said. “But, you know, you have to keep playing the game. I have to keep playing the game. But it was a lot, I won’t lie.”
That’s when a reporter pressed Dončić to clarify what he meant by “wasn’t fair.” For the answer, the Slovenian superstar flashed a knowing smirk and added, “I’m not gonna say anything, but everyone saw the game and knows what happened.”
Despite putting up his second triple-double since joining the Lakers with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, Dončić struggled with efficiency, shooting just 8-for-26 from the field and 3-for-10 from beyond the arc. Besides, he also had 5turnovers, which shows how solid the Nets’ offensive and defensive strategy was.
Adding to his irritation, the calls just weren’t going his way. His frustration boiled over in the third quarter when he sarcastically threw up his arms after a foul call. Minutes later, he was hit with a technical.
Lakers’ Shocking Free Throw Gap Against Nets
Here’s the mind-blowing stat from the game that shows how the Nets completely dominated the game. The Lakers shot only two free throws in the entire first half. That’s it. Meanwhile, the Nets far surpassed them, taking 16.
By the end of the game, the Lakers had gone 15-for-19 from the line, while Brooklyn had a whopping 30 attempts, making 19 of them. That’s nearly double the Lakers’ total.
It’s no surprise Dončić was fuming. Lakers fans noticed the imbalance; even casual viewers could tell something was off.
This loss stings even more, considering the circumstances. With LeBron James out due to injury and key players like Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes also sidelined, the Lakers were already fighting an uphill battle. The questionable officiating was just salt on the wound.
Despite the loss, the Lakers are still in a solid playoff position. They are third in their conference, slipping one spot after losing to the Nets. They will face the Milwaukee Bucks next Thursday, March 13, 2025, and hopefully, this time, they won’t be fighting the refs along with their opponents.