LeBron James fumes at referees after controversial Kawhi Leonard foul reversal in Lakers win

LeBron James wasn’t going to let that one slide easily.

Following the Lakers’ 106-102 victory Friday night, the 21-time All-Star and four-time MVP took to Instagram to show his frustration toward a controversial late-game foul overturned at his expense.

Late in the fourth quarter, with 25.1 seconds left and the Clippers trailing by four points, James was fouled by Kawhi Leonard while receiving an inbound pᴀss, taking a clear hit to the face and knocking him down.

The Clippers went on to challenge the call and it was overturned after the officials ruled it was “marginal contact.”

James posted a pH๏τo of the contact and had two words for the referees on Instagram: “Marginal huh!?!?”

LeBron James' Instagram story in response to an overturned foul call in the Lakers-Clippers game on Friday night.

LeBron James’ Instagram story in response to an overturned foul call in the Lakers-Clippers game on Feb. 28.

“The contact after was deemed marginal. Therefore, this is a successful challenge. … The Clippers will get the basketball on the sideline,” the official ruled.

When receiving the inbound pᴀss, Leonard attempted to steal the ball, and his arm appeared to hit James’ face.

James, 40, even stayed on the court for a while following the foul and was eventually brought to his feet by two teammates.

https://twitter.com/LosRealAli/status/1895712473480835519
Kawhi Leonard goes for the ball after LeBron James received it in an inbound pᴀss.
Kawhi Leonard goes for the ball after LeBron James received it in an inbound pᴀss on Feb. 28.X @LosRealAli
LeBron James is knocked in the face by Kawhi Leonard during an inbound play. It was initially ruled a foul on the Clippers star, but was overturned following a team challenge with 15.8 seconds left in the game.
LeBron James is knocked in the face by Kawhi Leonard during an inbound play on Feb. 28.X @LosRealAli

Following the call, James seemingly argued back with the referees on what could have been a game-altering call.

Still, the Lakers walked away with their fifth consecutive win and James walked away with a double-double on the night with 28 points and 13 rebounds, along with three ᴀssists, across 37 minutes.

Additionally, the game added James to the history books yet again by becoming the oldest player in NBA history to average 25 points or more in a single month.

LeBron James arguing against the controversial foul call on Friday against the Clippers.
LeBron James arguing against the controversial foul call on Feb. 28 against the Clippers.

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