Austin Reaves Calls Out Ref John Goble, 'Disrespectful' Moment in Lakers' G2 Loss to Thunder
Austin Reaves was unhappy with the officiating in the Los Angeles Lakers' 125-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Reaves specifically called out crew chief John Goble for being "disrespectful" toward him over a jump ball late in the fourth quarter:
"I felt like I was respectful to all of them all night. I mean, there's a million times in the past I've said way worse stuff. And when we were doing the whole jump ball when [the Thunder players] were switching spots, I wanted to get on the other side because they had a guy on the other side, was just trying to keep an advantage. And [Goble] turned around and just yelled in my face. I just thought it was disrespectful. At the end of the day, we're grown men. And I just didn't feel like he needed to yell in my face like that. I told him that. I wasn't disrespectful. I told him if I did that to him first, I would have got a tech. I feel like the only reason I didn't get a tech is because he knew he was in the wrong. So, yeah, I just felt disrespected."
The moment in question saw the officials overturn a loose-ball foul called on Jaylin Williams for grabbing Jaxson Hayes' jersey to a double foul on both players, resulting in a jump ball instead of the Lakers getting possession in a 104-94 game.
Oklahoma City won the jump ball and Cason Wallace made a three on the ensuing possession to extend the lead to 13 points with just under six minutes remaining.
Reaves was seen confronting Goble in the moment on the court about the overturned call. Lakers players also met with officials on the floor after the game ended.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick echoed Reaves' sentiments, telling reporters that his team isn't getting any benefit of the doubt on calls compared to the way Oklahoma City has been officiated.
"Our guys were so good tonight just staying together, poised. The emotion is part of basketball. And I think some of the reason [the Thunder are] officiated the way they are is because they don't show emotion, and that's a credit to them. I mean, they've really been taking the emotion out of the game. They're super tight-knit. They don't complain to the officials and maybe they're the beneficiaries of that, I don't know."
Adding to the frustration for the Lakers is Reaves had a terrific bounce-back performance after going 3-of-16 from the field in Game 1. He scored a playoff career-high 31 points in 38 minutes on Thursday night.
LeBron James finished with 23 points and six assists in Game 2. The Lakers were called for 26 fouls, compared to 21 for the Thunder. Oklahoma City had a 26-21 advantage in free-throw attempts.
Despite the best efforts of the Lakers' two best players, they still find themselves in an 0-2 hole heading back to Los Angeles.
Game 3 between the Thunder and Lakers at Crypto.com Arena will be played on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
