Lakers' LeBron James Disagrees with Late Foul That Led to Anthony Edwards Free Throws
After the Los Angeles Lakers fell into a 3-1 series hole against the Minnesota Timberwolves with Sunday's 116-113 loss in Game 4, star forward LeBron James expressed frustration about a pivotal moment.
Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James said he disagreed with the overturned out-of-bounds call that was ruled a foul on him for his contact with Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards.
"Hand is part of the ball, that's what they say," James said.
The Lakers were trailing 114-113 when it appeared that James made a clutch defensive play and forced a turnover on Edwards. However, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch challenged the call, and the referees overturned the call. Edwards hit both free throws to extend the lead to three, and Lakers guard Austin Reaves' attempt at a game-tying triple was off the mark as time expired.
James further explained that the contact he made with Edwards is common in the NBA and typically isn't called as a foul.
"That play happens all the time. Hand is part of the ball, that's what they say. I feel like the hand was a part of that ball, I was able to get his hand on top of the ball, the ball stripped out and out on him. I've seen that play over and over before, but it is what it is," James told reporters.
James had 27 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and three blocks in the loss. He was held scoreless during the fourth quarter as the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 32-19 in the final frame.
As the series heads back to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday, James and company will try to regain momentum and stave off elimination.
