Saturday night’s game between Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics was stained by poor officiating.
The officials missed a potential game-winning call in the Lakers’ favor, with Jayson Tatum clearly fouling LeBron James‘ layup attempt with just four seconds left in the clock.
The officials swallowed the whistle, and the Celtics eventually took care of business in overtime, with James and multiple Lakers players ripping the referees over that missed call.
Moreover, it was the fourth time in less than a month that the referees have missed blatantly obvious calls that have cost Darvin Ham‘s team a win.
So, with James not mincing his words on the poor job the officials have done throughout the season, the NBA Referees account had no choice but to release a statement and publish an apology in the Washington Post, acknowledging their mistakes and vowing to be better.
Like everyone else, referees make mistakes. We made one at the end of last night’s game and that is gut-wrenching for us. This play will weigh heavily and cause sleepless nights as we strive to be the best referees we can be.https://t.co/WyN8QVuTOl
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) January 29, 2023
Notably, players have asked the league to hold the referees accountable, stating that they should be fined or disciplined the same way players are, as they keep on making game-changing mistakes, and nothing ever happens.
Some have gone as far as to claim they believe they’re rigging and point-shaving games and urged the league to investigate them.
But truth be told, that’s not in the NBA’s best interest.
Otherwise, they would’ve already investigated Scott Foster after fans pointed out that Chris Paul has lost 14 straight playoff games officiated by him.
Truth be told, it’s unlikely that the games are rigged.
They might just suck at their job.
NEXT: Shaquille O'Neal Defends Himself From Recent Criticism
