Nick Young sold it. The referees bought it.
The NBA flagged it.
Lakers guard Nick Young received a flop warning Thursday by the league for a critical foul call late in Tuesday’s game against the Hawks. Young fell while being defended by Kyle Korver after attempting a corner 3-pointer with 44.8 seconds left and the Lakers leading by four points. The shot missed but Korver was called for a foul although he clearly never touched Young, sliding behind him in front of the Hawks bench.
Young made one of his three free-throw attempts to give the Lakers a five-point cushion. The Hawks could have had the ball, down 108-104, with time on the clock. As it was, the Hawks missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds left.
Neither Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer nor Korver addressed the call directly following the game.
“I’m going to pass,” Budenholzer said at the time. “I haven’t seen the replay. Officials are in tough spots. You never want a player to miss a shot. You never want those guys to miss. I have no idea. I’m biased. I don’t think we ever foul. I’m sure we do. I haven’t seen it. It’s a tough call. We’ll look at it.”
Korver declined comment following the game. It appeared following the call that he suggested the referee take a look at the video.
Those in the post-game locker room were clearly frustrated by the call. It was the third time this season a close foul call at a critical time proved costly to the Hawks. Foul calls also hurt in losses to the Spurs and Hornets.
About the Author
