LeBron James made a critical shot in the closing seconds of a game on his birthday, which was initially thought to be a game-tying three-pointer. However, upon review, officials ruled that his foot was on the line, making it a two-pointer instead. The decision was confirmed after a lengthy review, despite LeBron and the Lakers' sideline replay suggesting it was a good three. The Lakers were down by one point with 2.3 seconds left following the call, and the T-Wolves handed LeBron a loss. LeBron expressed his frustration, stating that it was 'obviously a three' and jokingly remarked that even 'Stevie Wonder could see that,' suggesting that 'someone in the replay center must have been eating a ham sandwich.' The official statement from referee Tony Brothers indicated that there wasn't 'clear and conclusive evidence to overturn it from a two to a three,' which is why the call stood.
"It's obviously a three. ... Stevie Wonder could see that." LeBron James was not happy about his 3-point attempt ruled a 2-pointer. (via @mcten) https://t.co/8tPkodmYjG
Pool report on the LeBron James shot that was ruled a 2: https://t.co/2c4J5NsAnf
Pool report on the LeBron James end-game 2 with official Tony Brothers: "After video review, there wasn’t clear and conclusive evidence to overturn it from a two to a three, and that’s why it stood as a two-point field goal."
LeBron: "It's obviously a 3. My foot was behind the line. You could see the space between my foot and the 3-point line... Stevie Wonder could see that, champ... Someone over there with a ham sandwich made the call." (via @LakersNation) https://t.co/ambNPhbWLm
LeBron: "I mean it's obvious a 3, my foot is behind the line. You can see the space between my foot and the front of the 3-point line. ... Stevie Wonder can see that champ. ... Somebody over there [in Secaucus] eating a ham sandwich."
"It's obviously a three... Stevie Wonder could see that, champ," LeBron tells @LakersReporter on @SpectrumSN. He adds to @mcten that "someone in the replay center must have been eating a ham sandwich."
LeBron James: "It's obviously a 3. My foot was behind the line. You could see the space between my foot and the 3-point line... Stevie Wonder could see that, champ... Someone over there with a ham sandwich made the call."
Darvin Ham on the LeBron 2/3: “Our guys on the sideline replayed it and thought it was a good three. But, they have people in other places looking (at the replay).”
LeBron's shot was ruled as a 2-POINTER 😳 T-Wolves hand Bron a loss on his bday https://t.co/OfkQ9njyKc
Was LeBron's foot on the line? 🕵️♂️ https://t.co/z54d7mN7mJ
Here’s a shot of LeBron’s foot on the jumper that would have tied the game had it been ruled a 3, but was called a two on the floor and confirmed after a long review. Wolves would have still had the ball and a chance to win. https://t.co/hcRv9jGkJ6
Zoomed in, slowed down look at the replay of LeBron's go-ahead shot that was ruled a two instead of a three https://t.co/ZlyEydSgjk
Looked like LeBron barely kept his foot behind the line on a tying three ... that was ruled a two. Refs ruled as he went up and pressed down on his foot for lift, and it turned sideways, his toe pushed barely onto the line.
Shot was ruled a 2 not a 3. 👀 https://t.co/eidetsoc3g https://t.co/VdHIlOtZI9
Referees called LeBron’s game tying three a 2-pointer. Wow. (via @mcten) https://t.co/qWYqwEO18n
WOW 🤯 LeBron James with the clutch shot but his foot was on the line 😱 https://t.co/lAl2nyEyjH
LeBron's jumper is ruled a 2-pointer and not a 3-pointer. Lakers down by 1 point with 2.3 seconds left.
Wow. LeBron pointed at a monitor where his foot appears to be behind the line when he rose to potentially tie the game. Refs did not overturn their call on the floor as a 2.
holy shit. LeBron’s foot on the line. https://t.co/kQRmXNYRTB
LeBron James with a little birthday magic here? He hits what appears to be a game-tying 3 in transition with 2.3 seconds remaining. The refs are reviewing the play to see if LeBron's foot was on the line or not.
LEBRON CLUTCH. https://t.co/3VoBzs3F3t
Holy cow. LeBron's toe on the line so it's a 2 and not a 3.