The second matchup between the Lakers and the Thunder took a major turn with 7:40 left in the game, when Luka Doncic was ejected after receiving his second technical foul from referee JT Orr.
At that moment in time, OKC was trailing by one point, but after Doncic’s ejection, they went on a 24-8 run to seal the win.
After the game, Doncic said he wasn’t talking to the referee but to an OKC fan with whom he had a history going back to last year’s playoffs.
However, according to crew chief Tony Brothers, Doncic “looked directly at the referee and used vulgar language,” which was also the reason for his first technical earlier in the night.
Doncic finished the game with 23 points and 5 assists in 31 minutes before being ejected just as he seemed to be finding his rhythm.
The fan involved, Jeremy Price, told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he had been trash-talking with Doncic and admitted the player’s words were likely directed at him, not the referee. A video from behind the play seems to support this version.
“I’ve never gotten a fan ejected, but if someone talks to me, I respond like I always have,” Doncic said. “It had nothing to do with the referee. I really don’t understand.”
Coach JJ Redick didn’t directly comment on the referee but said, “Unfortunately, a great game didn’t end the way any basketball fan would want because of certain individuals’ decisions.”
LeBron James echoed the same feeling: “After the ejection, the game got really weird for a few minutes. I don’t know why the ref took it personally. The whole thing was just strange.”
