Videos

Video: LeBron James Reacts to Controversial No-Calls at End of Christmas Day Game

Published by
Brad Sullivan

The controversial closing moments of the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ 99-92 Christmas Day loss to the Golden State Warriors were marked by a pair of non-foul calls on Warriors forward Kevin Durant. Both plays involved Cavs forward LeBron James driving to the basket and ending up on the short end of the call on each occasion.

During his postgame remarks, James was asked about the non-calls, specifically the latter one that came with 24.5 seconds remaining in the contest and Cleveland trailing 95-92. That one was originally ruled in favor of the Cavaliers before being overturned on review:

“I lost it on the left wing. He (Durant) got me a little bit, but I lost that one,” James said. “But the one, obviously the overturned one, he fouled me twice. But, whatever. What are you gonna do about it?”

Not surprisingly, Durant saw the plays from a decidedly different perspective:

“He’s too big,” Durant said. “He’s too big. He’s too big for that. He’s too big. That ain’t no foul.”

James’ remark about Durant “getting him a little bit” was in reference to an apparent hip check that resulted in James losing control of the ball with 1:10 left in the contest.

The two teams were meeting for the third consecutive year on Christmas Day after having faced each other in the preceding year’s NBA Finals. The Cavaliers are hoping for history to repeat itself, with the losers of the preceding two holiday matchups having gone on to win that year’s league title. However, long before any potential fourth straight Finals battle gets underway, the two teams will meet again in Cleveland on Jan. 15.

Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Report: Franz Wagner ‘pierced’ one of Jarrett Allen’s ribs with an elbow during Game 4

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen suffered a rib injury due to an elbow from Orlando…

16 hours ago

Marcus Morris on Cavs fans: ‘I just wanted to get an opportunity to show why they love me and why I love y’all’

Cleveland Cavaliers veteran Marcus Morris had a strong performance in his squad's pivotal Game 5…

2 days ago

Brian Windhorst snaps on Cavs, implies they’re shooting themselves in foot vs. Magic

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst went off on the Cleveland Cavaliers for not taking advantage of the…

3 days ago

Report: Cavs teammates had ‘patronizing’ reactions to Darius Garland 3-pointer earlier in Magic series

Teammates of Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Daris Garland reportedly gave the floor general multiple "patronizing…

4 days ago

Emoni Bates signs off on idea that he could win Most Improved Player in 2024-25 NBA season

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Emoni Bates may have come into the 2023-24 campaign in hopes of…

5 days ago

Donovan Mitchell shoulders blame for ugly Cavs loss: ‘I’m disappointed in myself’

Cleveland Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell said that he's to blame for the team's blowout…

6 days ago