LeBron James took over late in the fourth quarter and led the Lakers to the In-Season Tournament Final Four in Las Vegas after beating the Phoenix Suns 106-103 in a controversial finale in the quarterfinal.
LeBron was incredible all night, finishing the game with 31 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, and five steals. Austin Reaves was also instrumental with a clutch three-pointer in the final 20 seconds of the contest, as he also added 20 points.
Kevin Durant, on the other hand, missed the potential tying three-pointer at the buzzer.
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the Lakers’ huge win in a wild thriller.
The ball was DEFINITELY loose. I don't see how the referees grant a timeout here. pic.twitter.com/ZlaxGXpCx6
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 6, 2023
Give him the timeout pic.twitter.com/LIzW0eAfgo
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) December 6, 2023
you absolutely CANNOT call a timeout in that situation lmao
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) December 6, 2023
Oh wow the Lakers did not have possession of the ball when LeBron called timeout. Lucky that was called and the refs aren’t reviewing that
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 6, 2023
The most controversial timeout awarded in In-Season Tournament history
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) December 6, 2023
The first In-Season Tournament will forever be marred by controversy after that atrocious timeout call.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) December 6, 2023
How could they have given LeBron the timeout he was calling when Austin Reaves had already lost the ball? I also thought he traveled after catching the in-bounds pass from LeBron although he got bumped from behind.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 6, 2023
Lakers got a timeout without possession LLLMMAAOO
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) December 6, 2023
Lakers shouldn’t have got that timeout …ball was completely loose
— In The Lab (@InTheLabBrand) December 6, 2023
You can get a timeout there????
— Dom2K 🎅 (@Dom_2k) December 6, 2023
LeBron called a timeout while the ball was rolling towards a Suns player. Adam Silver was in the earpiece.
— Hubie Talks Hoops (@HubieTalksHoops) December 6, 2023
Unbiased opinion: Lakers shouldn't have been granted a timeout there.
Biased opinion: Heck yeah.
— Matthew Peralta (@_MatthewPeralta) December 6, 2023
When LeBron seen the Suns tryna take the Lakers spot in the IST semifinals pic.twitter.com/j0KQfMdpt1
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) December 6, 2023
🤨
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) December 6, 2023
Wow lol
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) December 6, 2023
Before tonight, the oldest players ever with 30 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals in a game were 32 years old (Iverson and Walt Frazier).
LeBron reached those thresholds tonight—and he's weeks away from turning 39!
— Zach Kram (@zachkram) December 6, 2023
They’re going 2 stop effing with A. Reaves aka Kobe Of The Ozarks. #Lakers #Suns #NBAInSeasonTournament.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) December 6, 2023
"okay, lakers on three. 1…2…" pic.twitter.com/EgFlfeV4DR
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) December 6, 2023
THE VEGAS MATCHUPS ARE SET!
Lakers vs. Pelicans
Bucks vs. PacersWho ya got? 👀 pic.twitter.com/f6acUsiA40
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) December 6, 2023
FEELS GREAT pic.twitter.com/iqKKSKcckn
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 6, 2023
What do you make of that decision?
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) December 6, 2023
Ok come on that is total BS. There was NO possession when Lebron signals for the timeout – Clearly no possession. Reaves was looking for contact from Book that never came and lost the ball.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) December 6, 2023
If LeGoat James say Timeout then it’s a Timeout DAMMIT‼️
— Davo Migo (@DeeBlockDavo) December 6, 2023
LeBron called a timeout while the ball was rolling towards a Suns player. Adam Silver was in the earpiece.
— Hubie Talks Hoops (@HubieTalksHoops) December 6, 2023
LIKE PLEASE LOOK WHERE THE BALL IS WHEN LEBRON TAKES A TIMEOUT pic.twitter.com/xvZRmlq2QQ
— LEEZUS (@AndrewLeezus) December 6, 2023
if this was LeBron they would’ve given them a timeout when Jrue had the ball pic.twitter.com/mkwpM2Db5m
— LEEZUS (@AndrewLeezus) December 6, 2023
That was a secret in-season tournament rule only LeBron knew about that you can call timeout when you don’t have the ball.
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) December 6, 2023
It's not a real NBA tournament until people claim it was rigged for the Lakers, the league office has a real winner on their hands with the IST.
— HarrisInSeasonTournament Faigen (@hmfaigen) December 6, 2023
Lakers will win the inaugural In-Season Tournament. LeBron is taking it much more seriously than Giannis, who said after his game he's not real happy about having to go to Vegas without his family on his bday. Lakers>Pacers for the Cup. But it WILL NOT COUNT as LBJ's 5th ring.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 6, 2023
Goat Activities 👑 pic.twitter.com/Il5kZSHg8v
— LeBron History 🏀 (@bronhistory) December 6, 2023
Lebron-Giannis or pacers-Pelicans. Adam silver I am familiar with your game
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) December 6, 2023
Historic. pic.twitter.com/pK5qoQIdPL
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 6, 2023
Y’all saw GOAT JAMES take the gm over in the 4th. Scored 15 of his 31 pts in the quarter. #Goat #Lakers #Suns #NBAInseasonTournament
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) December 6, 2023
If you’re upset about the late timeout call for the Lakers, then should also be upset about the no-call on Booker bumping Reaves prior to that and the dual no call’s when LeBron and AD got hacked on their wrists at the rim. This is about fair officiating, right? #Lakers
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) December 6, 2023
Tonight’s most valuable player for the Lakers: pic.twitter.com/JWF1KKyWXl
— PHNX Sports (@PHNX_Sports) December 6, 2023
LeBron = greatest timeout caller ever? Tomorrow on Undispooted
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) December 6, 2023
The refs giving the Lakers that timeout pic.twitter.com/kMI8jUM8aS
— DK (@DK__DFS) December 6, 2023
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