NBA makes big statement on LeBron James’ denied 3-pointer in L2M report

Apr 4, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts to being called for a foul against the Utah Jazz in the last minute of the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James didn’t like what he saw on the video monitor on Saturday, and he won’t like what he sees on the game’s last two-minute report either.

The Los Angeles Lakers star James was controversially denied a potential game-tying three-pointer late in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Lakers behind 107-104 in the final seconds, James received an outlet pass in transition and pulled up for a jumper, which he connected on. But while James believed that he was behind the three-point line, the officials ruled that the shot was actually a two as James (ever so slightly) had a foot on the line. The call was then confirmed following an instant-replay review, leaving James and the rest of the Lakers absolutely incensed (video here).

On Sunday, the last two-minute report for the game was released, and the NBA doubled down by saying that it was indeed the correct call to rule James’ basket a two-pointer.

“There was not clear and conclusive visual evidence that the on-court ruling was incorrect,” the report read.

It also stated that James’ right foot had rolled forward so that toe of his shoe had touched the three-point line before he released the shot.

The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report backs up last night’s determination that LeBron James’ suit with 2.3 seconds left was a 2 and not a 3 pic.twitter.com/vhHqzUhGVY

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 31, 2023

Had the officials ruled on the floor that James’ shot was a three-pointer, it might have swung the other way as the margin was so razor-thin that there was probably no clear and conclusive evidence either way. But because the shot was initially ruled a two (a justifiable call in real time), James and the Lakers were out of luck, ultimately losing 108-106.

For James, his argument was that a particular frame seemingly showed that his foot was behind the line. But the subsequent frames of the play showed that James’ foot then shuffled to the edge of the line before he got the shot off, something that the NBA ultimately confirmed in their L2M ruling.