Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick claimed LeBron James was victimised by officials due to his size after the Oklahoma City Thunder eased into a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semi-finals on Thursday night.James scored 23 points as the Thunder won 125-107 but was twice called for dubious fouls while contact on him was repeatedly overlooked by the match crew. After averaging 5.3 free throw attempts during the regular season, the 41-year-old has shot just five free throws combined over the first two games of the series.LeBron has the worst whistle of any star player Ive ever seen, Redick said. I mean, Ive been with him two years now. The smaller guys, because they can be theatric, they typically draw more fouls, and the bigger players that are built like LeBron, its hard for them. He gets clobbered. He got clobbered again tonight a bunch.And thats not like a new thing. Thats not specific to this crew or this series. He gets fouled a lot and it doesnt [get called]. The guy gets hit on the head more than any player Ive seen on drives, and it rarely gets called.Table of ContentsLakers star Reaves confronts crew chief GobleThunder see off Lakers despite limited impact by Gilgeous-AlexanderLakers star Reaves confronts crew chief GobleThe officiating was an issue for the Lakers all night with Austin Reaves confronting crew chief John Goble after the game.Reaves was particularly unhappy at the way Goble shouted at him in the final quarter as he waited to contest a jump ball.I felt like I was respectful to all of them all night. I mean, theres a million times in the past Ive said way worse stuff, Reaves said. 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, were grown men. And I just didnt feel like he needed to yell in my face like that. I told him that. I wasnt disrespectful. I told him if I did that to him first, I would have got a tech. I feel like the only reason I didnt get a tech is because he knew he was in the wrong. So, yeah, I just felt disrespected.And while LA fought a running battle with the officials, the Thunder kept pouring in the points. Oklahoma have found a way to play tough without getting called and Redick admitted a quiet admiration for the defending champions.I sarcastically said the other day, theyre the most disruptive team without fouling, Redick said. I mean, they have a few guys that foul on every possession. Theyre hard enough to play. Theyre hard enough to play, youve got to be able to just call them if they foul, and they do foul.I think some of the reason [the Thunder are] officiated the way they are is because they dont show emotion, and thats a credit to them. I mean, theyve really been taking the emotion out of the game. Theyre super tight-knit. They dont complain to the officials and maybe theyre the beneficiaries of that, I dont know.Thunder see off Lakers despite limited impact by Gilgeous-Alexander The Thunders win was made more remarkable by the fact they played without star man Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for most of the third quarter after he collected his fourth foul early in the second half.That coincided with a 22-4 run that turned the game in the Thunders favour.It was amazing, said Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 22 points. They strung together stops, and they played the right way offensively. Ive got full confidence in those guys. Those guys know how to win basketball games. Theyve proven that. Weve proven that. No matter whos on the floor, we can get the job done.Weve got guys that are competitors, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. They see the challenges of the game as opportunities, and they attack them.Game Three is in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Topics LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers Oklahoma City Thunder Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Gilgeous-Alexander has off night but OKC still power past Los Angeles Lakers, despite James best efforts Jon Fisher 6th May, 2026 LeBron James involved in verbal spat as the Lakers feel the heat after Rockets win again Jon Fisher 30th April, 2026 Play-offs round-up: Gilgeous-Alexander helps OKC power past Phoenix but the Pistons are on the brink Jon Fisher 28th April, 2026 NBA playoffs: Full bracket, confirmed standings, where to watch on TV and live stream 2026 Ben Miller 27th April, 2026 NBA: LeBron James takes blame for Lakers loss as Rockets avoid sweep Nicholas McGee 27th April, 2026 Edgecombe makes NBA playoff history as 76ers stun Celtics Mitch Fretton 22nd April, 2026
