Tampering Allegations Rock NBA: Grizzlies’ Clash With LeBron James Sparks Outrage
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USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with referee Nick Buchert (3) against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Matchups between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers have always been emotionally charged and entertaining. They’ve increasingly become more competitive in recent seasons (1-3 favoring the Grizzlies in 2021-22 and 2-1 favoring the Lakers in 2022-23) because Memphis emerged as a Western Conference powerhouse. But the 2023-24 season didn’t go according to the script for the Grizzlies because of season-ending injuries to star players like Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart.
Despite this, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers played out a thriller yesterday. In a fiercely competitive game, the Lakers emerged victorious by a scoreline of 123-120. Despite the incredible basketball on offer, the game was marred by accusations of blatant tampering. Allegations arose when the game clock froze with 1:14 remaining in the third quarter but resumed at 2:20! This extended the quarter’s duration from the standard 12 minutes to 13 minutes and 6 seconds.
Just realized the Lakers and Grizzlies played 13:06 minutes in the 3rd quarter last night. When the shot clock was supposed to be reset at 1:14, the game clock was also accidentally reset to 2:20. No one noticed and they played the rest of the way with the new game clock. pic.twitter.com/oeEE0F7f3C
— Ramiro Bentes (@NbaInRstats) April 13, 2024
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However, at the time of the game clock incident, the Grizzlies held a 3-point lead over the Lakers. Several fans think this was a deliberate attempt so the Grizzlies could get an upper hand on the Lakers. But this isn’t the first time the Lakers faced a malfunctioning clock this season.
During their game against the Golden State Warriors on 16th March, there was a 20-minute delay because of a malfunctioning shot clock. Players from both teams were left visibly frustrated by this incident, as it ruined a great ending to a highly competitive game. Following the match, Stephen Curry remarked, “I’ve never seen that in my career really.”
However, for some reason or another, there’s a widespread suspicion now that there may have been some serious foul play during last night’s incident, by the home side! But is that really the case?
Fans react to the alleged tampering, citing the Memphis Grizzlies’ involvement
Last night’s game clock malfunction during Grizzlies vs Lakers has caused a social media firestorm for the NBA. Several fans believe the Memphis Grizzlies blatantly tampered with it to get the better of the Lakers. Some fans on social media even provided some proof. A fan wrote that the Grizzlies statisticians didn’t award LeBron James with two clear-cut assists.
Grizzlies score keepers were on some funny stuff last night. Bron sits and they add another minute to the game? There were also 2 assists that the statistician didn't award Bron that were clear assists. https://t.co/q7jGrG3SvV@bronhistory check this out. Grizz are funny.
— Matthew Cheng (@MCheng_) April 13, 2024
Another fan even suggested that the “NBA has an agenda against LeBron James”, citing instances of missed foul calls, persistent clock issues, and uncounted stats, which they believe only seem to affect James and the Lakers.
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Between these persistent clock issues, the lack of foul calls, and uncounted stats etc., it's hard not to believe the @NBA has some sort of agenda AGAINST LeBron.
LeBron seems to play most games against three opponents: the opposing team, Darvin Ham, and the @OfficialNBARefs.
— Michael Brumagin (@MBrumagin) April 13, 2024
Another social media user held the same sentiments as they stated this has happened before too.
I swear I've seen this happen before! More than once even…
— Sam_G (@Sweazy_f) April 13, 2024
This netizen makes a strong allegation that the NBA was siding with the Lakers to give them a good seed before the play-in tournament (the win propelled them to 8th).
League is trying to do everything to get the stinky ass lakers with a better seed lmao
— “Black Jesus” (@QkryI) April 13, 2024
A few Memphis Grizzlies fans were also in the comments section, expressing disgust over how they’d been ‘robbed’!
We’ve been robbed!!!!!
— Lillian (@grizzliesdubs) April 13, 2024
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Literally added a whole extra min.. smh. They jus was salty we was winnin 😂😂
— Kyle Strauch (@kyle_strauch) April 13, 2024
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All in all, the fans (especially the home ones) weren’t too impressed with the way this game panned out. Many of them did not hesitate to share having a déjà vu moment this season, while others made sure to post-hardcore evidence blaming Adam Smith and Co. for the entire mess.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Who do you think is responsible? Does the NBA need to look into last night’s incident? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by:
Edited by:
Daniel D'Cruz
