Was Nuggets' loss unjust? Referee report reveals Lakers benefited: Key missed call gave Reaves two free throws

On March 16 Beijing time, the NBA officially released the last two-minute referee report for yesterday's Lakers vs. Nuggets game. The report indicates one incorrect call happened in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, disadvantaging the Nuggets and benefiting the Lakers. All calls in the final two minutes of overtime were correct. Finally, the Lakers won 127-125 in overtime against the Nuggets.

The only incorrect call occurred with 9.2 seconds left before the game ended. The referee report noted that Nuggets' Jones cleanly stripped the ball with his right hand after Reaves received the inbound pass. However, the on-court referee called a foul on Jones, which was a missed call; Reaves should not have received two free throw opportunities. In that sequence, Reaves made both free throws, helping the Lakers narrow the gap. The Lakers clearly benefited, while the Nuggets were disadvantaged.

The referee report pointed out that with 5.3 seconds remaining, Johnson's foul on Reaves was correctly called. Reaves utilized that foul, making the first free throw and intentionally missing the second, then securing the rebound and completing a tying shot to force overtime.

In the final moments of overtime, Doncic hit a near-game-winning shot, helping the Lakers secure a narrow victory. However, that missed call at the end of the fourth quarter likely impacted the game's outcome. Without Reaves' crucial two points, perhaps his tying shot wouldn't have occurred, and the Nuggets might have ended the game in regulation, securing a win.

In this game, for the Nuggets, Gordon scored 27 points with 5 rebounds, Jokic had 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 14 assists, Hardaway contributed 20 points, while Murray struggled, shooting 1-for-14 for only 5 points. For the Lakers, Reaves posted 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, Doncic recorded 30 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists, and 3 blocks, Smart added 21 points and 5 steals, and James had 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.