LeBron James gets tech, Ime Udoka ejected in Lakers-Rockets spat
An oddly officiated dispute between Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka led to an ejection.
An oddly officiated dispute between Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka led to a technical foul for James and an ejection for Udoka on Saturday night (US time).
James and Udoka got into an exchange during the fourth quarter as the Lakers led 93-77 with 8:35 remaining.
As per the New York Post, Lakers swingman Cam Reddish fouled Rockets forward Tari Eason, and walked into him seconds after the play was dead, and the two were separated after some mild jawing of the court.
In the aftermath of the play, Udoka was seen talking in James’ direction, and as the all-time great attempted to approach the Houston head coach, controversial Rockets wing Dillon Brooks intervened.
This angle of the LeBron-Udoka exchange 👀 (via unitedlife4ever/TT) pic.twitter.com/w0edFgn8Tb
— Overtime (@overtime) December 3, 2023
Udoka and James eventually confronted one another, leading to a technical foul for James, and an ejection for the Rockets head coach.
“We had some conversation and [they] didn’t like what they heard,” Udoka said following the incident.
Udoka also offered that he was displeased with the Rockets’ physicality, a team noted for their defensive improvement this season, though, particularly at home; the team is still the only one in the NBA without a road victory.
James was also asked about the conversation’s details.
In his response, he offered that his back and forth with Udoka was about, “Thanksgiving … how much we enjoyed Thanksgiving.”
LeBron James on what he and Ime Udoka were discussing to warrant double technical fouls tonight: “Thanksgiving.†And on the string of techs he’s been picking up - three in L.A.’s last five games: “It’s a wild season†pic.twitter.com/WbfZ00ivJk
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 3, 2023
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The Lakers subsequently won the game 107-97, in which James had 16 points and seven assists while improving LA’s record to 12-9 for the season.
Udoka, in his first year with Houston after being suspended by the Celtics last season for an improper, consensual relationship with a staff member, has the Rockets at 8-9.
This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.
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