Anthony Davis Told Ref 'That's BS' Before Ejection vs. Bulls, Says Lakers HC Vogel

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said the referee lacked "common sense" in his decision to eject star forward Anthony Davis in the third quarter of Monday's game against the Chicago Bulls.

Davis lost his shoe on a play in which the ball went out of bounds. The official restarted play, giving Chicago a 5 vs. 4 advantage while the eight-time All-Star put his shoe back on. It prompted a response from Davis that led to his second technical foul of the game.

"I think typically the ref will wipe the ball, let the guy get his shoe on, have some common sense," Vogel told reporters. "Quick in-bounds, AD said 'That's B.S.,' which happens about 15 times in the NBA every game. Quick tech, ejection. I don't know what to say about that."

LeBron James, who's been sidelined since Nov. 2 with an abdominal injury, came on the court to question the decision. Russell Westbrook also pulled the referee aside to discuss the sequence.

The Lakers trailed 86-66 late in the third quarter when Davis was ejected for his second technical foul of the game. Chicago went on to score a 121-103 win at Staples Center.

Davis finished the contest with 20 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal in 28 minutes.

It's just the second time the 28-year-old Chicago native has been ejected in his 10-year career. The other instance came in November 2017 as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Davis didn't speak with reporters following Monday's game.

The University of Kentucky product is enjoying a strong start to the 2021-22 season. He's averaged 24.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals while shooting 51.1 percent from the field. He's played in all 15 of the Lakers' games after being hampered by injuries last season.

L.A. dropped to 8-7 with the loss to the Bulls (10-4), which puts them seventh in the Western Conference.

The Lakers return to action Wednesday night when they open a five-game road trip by visiting the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks.