SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to a season-high five games with a 136-134 win over the Kings on Saturday, but it wasn’t without some controversy.
sacramento guard De’Aaron Fox Called for a Lakers foul Denise Schroeder The score was tied at 134-134 with 3.1 seconds remaining. The foul was on the floor, with Fox hitting Schroeder in the hip with the thigh as the LA point guard attempted to drive into the hoop. The foul meant his two free throws for the Lakers, as Sacramento had already been penalized.
The Kings contested the decision, but the ruling was upheld after a video review. made both free throws to
Fox’s 43-foot heave from near the halfcourt line hit the back rim as time expired, so Schroeder’s foul shot decided the game.
Fox, who led the Kings with 34 points and nine assists, left the arena without speaking to reporters. However, he offered his thoughts on the final sequence in a since-deleted tweet, writing that he thought the team was supposed to “let the players decide the game.”
Schroeder admitted that the nature of Fox’s fouls meant they were often not called in late-game situations, but that the call was correct according to the rulebook.
“Foul is foul,” Schroeder said with a laugh. “It’s a shame, because of course the game is online and it’s like winning a game with a free throw. I certainly understand that point, but at the end of the day, you can’t foul.”
“Especially when he was in the bonus. There is.”
Schroeder and Lakers Center Thomas Bryant Both are playing like stars in their own right after missing a chunk at the start of the season due to accidentally requiring left thumb surgery during the preseason.
Including Saturday’s win, LA is 16-11 since the pair’s season debut.
Bryant played very effectively again Anthony Davis‘Absent, he scored a season-high 29 points on 12-for-14 shooting and had 14 rebounds.
“Thomas Bryant, which means he’s playing like an AD now,” Schroeder said. “He’s ready, he’s ready, he’s doing a great job. We’re looking for him and he’s got a second possession for us. Offensive rebound, clutch bucket. He’s playing great. “
The Lakers had four players score 20 or more points in the same game for the first time all season on Saturday. lebron james (37 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) Russell Westbrook (23 points, 15 assists) is also doing damage.
“We’re just trying to figure it out, we’re trying to play for each other and not give in,” James said. We just want to play the game.I think the basketball gods are doing you a favor when you play the game the right way.”
