Getty

Austin Reaves on his interaction with the referees

The Los Angeles Lakers left Oklahoma City frustrated Thursday night after a 125-107 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. The defeat pushed the Lakers into a 2-0 series deficit, despite playoff career-high performances from Austin Reaves and another strong scoring night from LeBron James.

Much of the postgame discussion centered on officiating, with several heated exchanges between the Lakers and referees throughout the game. Lakers coach JJ Redick received a technical foul during the first half, while multiple players spent extended periods arguing calls with officials during the contest.

After the game, Reaves addressed a confrontation he had with an official during a stoppage in play and explained why he felt disrespected by the interaction.

“I felt like I was respectful to all of them all night,” Reaves said. “A million times in the past, I’ve said way worse stuff.”

Austin Reaves Explains Heated Exchange With NBA Official

Reaves said the incident occurred during a jump-ball situation when players were repositioning on the floor.

“And when we were doing the whole tip ball and they were switching spots, I wanted to get on the other side because they had a guy on the other side, was just trying to keep an advantage,” Reaves said. “And he turned around and yelled in my face. I just thought it was disrespectful.”

Reaves added that he believed the interaction would have resulted in a technical foul if the roles had been reversed.

“The whole time that was going on over there, I don’t think he said much to them,” Reaves said. “I know Ben (Taylor) stepped in and said something. But at the end of the day, we’re grown men and I just didn’t feel like he needed to yell in my face like that.”

“I told him that. I wasn’t disrespectful,” Reaves continued. “I told him if I did that to him first, I would’ve gotten a tech. I feel like the only reason I didn’t get a tech was because he knew he was in the wrong. I just felt disrespected.”

The Lakers’ frustration built throughout the night.

LeBron James repeatedly argued calls during the game, including a second-quarter offensive foul against Alex Caruso and a fourth-quarter sequence where James believed a made basket should have counted through contact.

Redick also criticized the officiating after the game while discussing Oklahoma City’s defense.

“They have a few guys that foul on every possession,” Redick said. “They’re hard enough to play. You’ve gotta be able to just call it if they foul. And they do foul.”

The Lakers finished the game with 26 fouls compared to Oklahoma City’s 21. The Thunder also attempted more free throws, 26 to 21.

Austin Reaves Responds With Career Night Despite Lakers’ Loss

GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves

While the Lakers were upset with the officiating, Reaves delivered his best postseason offensive performance.

The Lakers guard finished with a playoff career-high 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three-point range and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. He also added six assists in 38 minutes.

The performance marked a major turnaround after Reaves struggled badly in Game 1. In the series opener, he scored just eight points on 3-of-16 shooting and missed all five of his three-point attempts.

Entering Game 2, Reaves had averaged 15.0 points while shooting 30.4 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from three-point range during his first three playoff games this season.

Thursday’s game looked different immediately.

Reaves found rhythm in the second quarter and repeatedly attacked Oklahoma City’s defense off the dribble. He became the first Lakers player to reach double figures and helped Los Angeles take a one-point halftime lead.

Midway through the third quarter, Reaves was involved in another key moment when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul after a replay review. Alex Caruso also received a technical foul during the sequence.

Reaves converted all three free throws to give the Lakers a five-point lead.

However, Oklahoma City quickly responded with a 25-7 run while Gilgeous-Alexander sat with foul trouble. Chet Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 22 points, while Ajay Mitchell added 20 off the bench.

LeBron James finished with 23 points and six assists for Los Angeles, while Rui Hachimura added 16 points.

The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday night with the Lakers facing a 2-0 deficit.