Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James didn’t hold back on referee James Williams ejecting rookie Adou Thiero in Sunday’s Game 4 loss. Williams had made multiple questionable decisions up to that point, including ejecting Deandre Ayton for inadvertently elbowing Alperen Sengun in the head. That decision also had Ime Udoka and Sengun questioning Williams, who was favored from the call as Ayton was the only one who had it going for the Purple and Gold.
However, James was more upset about Thiero’s ejection. It happened with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter when Houston was cruising to a win with a 113-94 lead. Thiero engaged in a verbal altercation with Rockets’ Aaron Holiday, leading to the ejection. Here’s what James said about that call:
“I’m more pissed off about them kicking Adou out. That was uncalled for and it just made no sense. That’s his first time he’s ever been thrown out of a game in his life. I don’t think that was warranted. Giving him two technicals? The kid just got in the game. That was, that was ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Lakers coach JJ Redick said he didn’t get a “great explanation” on Adou Thiero’s ejection. He also opposed Deandre Ayton’s Flagrant 2, claiming there was no malicious intent. Ayton also shared that he didn’t intentionally hit Alperen Sengun as his elbow slipped off the Rockets All-Star’s shoulder, leading to the contact to his head.
In such cases, refs usually issue a Flagrant 1, but James Williams deemed it excessive enough to penalise Ayton with a Flagrant 2.
After LeBron James passionately defends Adou Thiero, Luka Doncic offers to cover for rookie’s fine
The Lakers’ biggest superstars and highest-paid players didn’t hesitate in supporting their rookie Adou Thiero after his ejection on Sunday. While LeBron James risked getting fined for his post-game comments, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Luka Doncic offered to pay for Thiero’s potential fine after the ejection.
Doncic wasn’t in action as he remains sidelined with a hamstring injury so he couldn’t comment on the ejection after the game.
Marcus Smart, Devin Booker have also raised issues with referee James Williams
Before LeBron James and JJ Redick called out the decision to eject Adou Thiero and Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart charged at referee James Williams on Sunday after the game. Players from both teams chirped at each other after the final whistle and Smart seemed heated at Williams.
Shortly after, Smart called him out during his post-game media session.
“We all understood it was some BS… We’re proud of the way he handled it. That speaks volumes about who he is and his progression.”
Meanwhile, Devin Booker name-called James Williams after the referee issued a tech on the Suns star in Game 2 of the Suns-Thunder matchup. Booker saved the ball from going out of bounds and it hit Jaylin Williams. Alex Caruso complained to the official about it and Williams agreed to hit Booker with a tech, which was eventually rescinded.
“I heard Caruso tell them to call the tech and he ended up doing it,” Booker said. “In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James Williams was terrible tonight. It’s bad for the sport. People are going to start viewing this as the WWE if they’re not held responsible.”
While the NBA agreed the tech wasn’t warranted, the league fined Booker $35,000 for his comments on Williams.
