LeBron James’ Immediate Response to Austin Reaves’ Ejection in Lakers Game
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a tough 100-97 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night, with Austin Reaves’ controversial ejection being a pivotal factor in the game’s outcome. Coming off a strong six-win streak in their last seven games before the All-Star break, the Lakers saw their momentum stifled in a match marred by questionable calls and missed opportunities.
The game took a dramatic turn late in the third quarter when Reaves was ejected following a heated exchange. The incident began when Reaves drove to the basket but lost the ball after some contact from Hornets center Jusuf Nurkic. Expecting a foul call that never came, Reaves voiced his displeasure and was given a technical foul.
However, his frustration didn’t end there. After repeatedly using profanity while continuing to argue, referee Rodney Mott handed Reaves a second technical foul, resulting in an automatic ejection—the first of Reaves’ NBA career. At that point, the Lakers were ahead 65-60, but after Reaves was sent off, the game began to slip away from them.
LeBron James, who led the Lakers with 26 points, expressed his frustration with the officiating after the game. “He had every right to argue the missed call, but what he said after that, I don’t think, warranted him getting kicked out,” LeBron explained. “It deflated us a little bit. We were in control of the game, and losing Austin at that moment changed the energy.”
LeBron also commented on the referee’s reasoning, stating, “He said the F-bomb was dropped too many times. But he said it early, then stopped. I think [official Rodney Mott] thought he said it again, but he didn’t.” He emphasized the need for context, adding, “We’re in an emotional game. Sometimes words slip out, but I felt the reaction was too fast.”
Austin Reaves finished the night with eight points on 3-of-9 shooting, along with two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocks in 27 minutes. His ejection visibly affected the Lakers, who couldn’t hold onto their lead. The Hornets took advantage of the disruption, finishing the third quarter ahead 69-66 and ultimately securing just their second win in 11 games.
The loss highlighted ongoing challenges for the Lakers, particularly their porous defense in the paint. Luka Doncic, in his third game with the team, had a mixed performance with 14 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and six turnovers, still adjusting to his role.
With the Portland Trail Blazers game next, the Lakers will need to reassess their lineup and focus on maintaining composure in high-pressure situations. Austin Reaves, who averages 18.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds this season, acknowledged the need for better self-control.
“I’ve been in the league for four years now, and I’ve heard many things said to the refs without consequence. But when someone unexpected does it, that’s when the biggest issues arise,” he admitted. “I’ve got to be better. I can’t put myself in that situation,” Reaves said, recognizing how quickly emotions can lead to costly mistakes.
