Austin Reaves reveals how one referee was ‘disrespectful’ during LA Lakers’ Game 2 loss

Austin Reaves says the referee was disrespectful during LA Lakers’ Game 2 loss

Speaking via Michael J. Duarte on X, Reaves explained why he was upset after the game.

“I felt like I was disrespectful to all of them all night. There’s a million times in the past I’ve said way worse stuff. When we were doing the whole tip-ball, they were switching spots,” Reaves said.

He added, “I wanted to get on the other side because they got a guy on the other side… He just turned around and yelled at me, yelled at my face. I just thought it was disrespectful.”

The incident reportedly involved official John Goble during a fourth-quarter jump-ball sequence, when Reaves was trying to adjust his positioning before play resumed.

Reaves believed the response he received crossed a line, especially in a game where emotions were already high and the Lakers felt they were not getting the same treatment on several physical possessions.

Austin Reaves questions why the official was allowed to yell without consequence

Reaves then explained why the exchange bothered him beyond the moment itself.

“At the end of the day, we’re grown men and I just didn’t feel like he needed to yell at my face like that. I told him that, I wasn’t disrespectful,” he continued.

“I told him if I did that to him first, I would’ve gotten a tech. I felt like the only reason I didn’t get a tech was ’cause I knew he was in the wrong,” Reaves concluded.

That comment tied directly into the larger frustration surrounding the game. The Lakers were called for 26 fouls compared to 21 for the Thunder, while Oklahoma City finished 21-of-26 at the free-throw line and Los Angeles went 18-of-21.

Reaves had one of his best playoff scoring nights, finishing with 31 points on efficient shooting, but he also ended the game with five fouls and five turnovers as the physicality and whistle became a constant storyline.

JJ Redick also criticized the officiating after the loss, arguing that LeBron James continues to receive one of the toughest whistles of any star player despite taking contact on drives.

The Lakers now return home down 2-0 in the series, but the fallout from Game 2 is clearly not limited to the scoreboard.