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.
James and Udoka got into an exchange during the fourth quarter as the Lakers led 93-77 with 8:35 remaining.
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.
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.”
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.
