The Los Angeles Lakers were hoping to bounce back on Thursday from a 122-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday that ended their five-game winning streak.
Instead, they fell in double overtime to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in double overtime, 119-115, in a grind-it-out affair that seemed like an uphill battle for them all night long.
LeBron James shot 9-of-28, and as a team LA was miserable offensively, shooting 39.3 percent overall and 24.4 percent from 3-point range.
Some Lakers fans blamed the referees, as they felt there were some non-calls that went against the Purple and Gold. Among them was an alleged no-call when Troy Brown Jr. missed what would have been the game-winning tree at the end of regulation while appearing to get hacked.
Fans across Twitter reacted to the Lakers’ gut-wrenching loss in several ways.
Lakers fans: Referees fooled us. While the Mavs had 10 less free throws and 8 more fouls called against them lol
β SEND PORTIS TO MAVS (@MAVSMFFLFAN) 13 January 2023
Refs Rob Lakers of a win over Mavs – Fixed your headline.
β Robert M. (@Chelsea_Mod) 13 January 2023
Should have fielded Luka before the 3rd to send it OT, no plan. You mistake him shooting 2 and you probably have a better chance.
β Clarkπ» (@theLIEinbelieve) 13 January 2023
I don’t understand why Schroder guarded Luka during the crisis π€¦πΎββοΈ
β Adam (@Adam_son_of_Man) 13 January 2023
That’s why the Lakers are under .500, it’s not because of the others. They do their job, keep the games close, he and Russ and AD are going to close games and let’s face it. Total failure.
β Rick Foruox (@raffzx) 13 January 2023
The Lakers have lost like 5-6 games now they would have won if not for a buzzer beater, missed free throws or no calls.
This team is better than the record despite the limited roster, LeBron is 500 years old and Anthony Davis breaks his foot in the air.
β Barry (@BarryOnHere) 13 January 2023
Last 2 games.. Lakers stopped running the ball.. fast play gave us 5 Ws.. can’t win too many half court games.
β Lakers4Life (@LakersOldForum) 13 January 2023
REFS VS LAKERS, THEY DON’T WANT TO SEE US WIN
β Β²Β³lαΊ‘nαΊ‘nαΊ‘n πππβοΈππ (@BronGotGame) 13 January 2023
Blatant? He got all the ball
β Klaw’s Mistress (@WizardsGotNext) 13 January 2023
He couldn’t keep up with his fingers, the ball got no spin. It’s an ugly one π΅πΎ
β Jay π (@J_Money_33) 13 January 2023
