L2M report rules McDaniels tripped Doncic late in Game 4
The NBA's last-two-minute report for the Minnesota Timberwolves' narrow Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday determined that Jaden McDaniels should've been assessed a foul for tripping Luka Doncic with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
"McDaniels (MIN) steps forward into Doncic's (LAL) path, initiating illegal foot contact that causes him to lose his balance," the league said in its assessment Monday.
The play, which occurred after McDaniels converted a free throw to put Minnesota up one, forced JJ Redick's squad to burn a timeout with Doncic grounded inside the Lakers' half. LeBron James' attempted bounce pass to Doncic from the sideline was then poked away by McDaniels, returning possession to Minnesota.
"Luka got tripped. That was a blatant trip," Redick told reporters postgame. "He doesn't just fall on his own. We watched it - he gets tripped. We should have been at the free-throw line. That's not an excuse for why we lost, but he got fouled."
Replays of the incident show Doncic stepping on McDaniels' right foot before stumbling with the ball in his hands.
L.A. appeared to get the ball back after the next possession when James seemingly knocked the ball loose off Anthony Edwards, causing the guard to slip and the ball to roll out of bounds. However, Wolves coach Chris Finch successfully challenged the play, and James was instead assessed a foul after a video review. Edwards' two free throws then put Minnesota up 116-113, which held as the final score after Lakers guard Austin Reaves missed a corner three at the buzzer.
The last-two-minute report confirmed the foul on James was the correct call. However, the Lakers star disagreed with the officials immediately following the loss, which left his squad one loss away from elimination.
"That play happens all the time. Hand is part of the ball, that's what they say," James said after the loss. "I feel like the hand was a part of that ball. I was able to get his hand on top of the ball, the ball stripped down, and out on him. Seen that play over and over before, but it is what it is."
Game 5 is Wednesday in L.A. If the Timberwolves advance, it'll mark the first time in franchise history that the club has progressed past the first round in consecutive seasons.