The referees in the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves made one of the most confusing calls of the NBA playoffs on Wednesday night.
On a pass out to the corner, Minnesota's Julius Randle rose up for a 3-pointer.
Doncic closed out, late getting there.
Just after Randle released the ball, Doncic whacked him hard on the right arm.
On the floor, it was ruled a foul.
But wait: The Lakers challenged.
And after review, the contact was deemed "marginal" and the call was overturned.
Thoughts on this not being a foul? pic.twitter.com/CwG6NSpnmA
— Pikkit (@pikkitsports) May 1, 2025
The call had fans up in arms on X (formerly Twitter).
Some complained that the Lakers get all the calls.
Others wondered what the point of replay review is if it makes the calls worse.
Really, it's just a bit of a mental stump there. How could that be deemed enough of an incorrect call to change the decision on the floor?
Doncic clearly hits Randle on the arm. That's always a foul (unless you're Tim Hardaway Jr. for the Pistons).
Somehow, though, Minnesota came away empty-handed, and Doncic came away with a lot more positive attention even with the clip being yet another example of his shaky defense.
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