The Los Angeles Lakers secured a crucial win in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, though it may have only postponed concerns regarding head coach Darvin Ham’s future with the team.
During a critical moment in the fourth quarter, Lakers’ LeBron James managed to knock the ball away from Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Convinced that Caldwell-Pope was the last to touch it, James urged Ham and the Lakers’ bench to challenge the ruling. Unfortunately, the challenge wasn’t issued in time, and the Nuggets quickly inbounded the ball, resulting in an uncontested layup.
James visibly expressed his frustration, stomping and shouting expletives. Even after Denver’s basket, he continued to vocally criticize his team’s bench.
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Subsequent TV replays confirmed that Caldwell-Pope did indeed touch the ball last, highlighting a missed opportunity for the Lakers to challenge the call. Although assistant coaches typically help in making the decision to challenge, based on their access to immediate video feedback, the ultimate decision lies with the head coach.
In this instance, Ham did not initiate the challenge in time.
Despite the oversight, the Lakers emerged victorious with a 119-108 score, pushing the series to a Game 5 in Denver. However, this incident does not cast Ham in the best light, especially after recent tensions with another Lakers superstar and vocal criticisms from fans after Game 3.
