NBA Rules Giannis’ Block on LeBron James Legal After Controversial Finish in Lakers’ Loss to Bucks

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a frustrating 105-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, a game that featured star power, late-game drama, and a controversial ending that quickly became one of the most discussed moments around the NBA. With the defeat, the Lakers fell to 23-13 on the season, continuing a recent stretch of inconsistent play despite remaining firmly in the upper tier of the Western Conference standings.

LeBron James returned to the lineup after missing two consecutive games and immediately made his presence felt. The four-time MVP finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double in his first game back. Luka Dončić was equally productive, posting 24 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists of his own, as the Lakers leaned heavily on their two superstars to stay competitive throughout the night.

Despite their efforts, Los Angeles struggled to execute in key moments down the stretch, allowing Milwaukee to pull out the win behind timely defense and clutch free-throw shooting.

Bucks Close Strong Behind Giannis and Kevin Porter Jr.

Milwaukee was led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 21 points while anchoring the Bucks’ defense in the final minutes. Kevin Porter Jr. provided a major offensive spark, pouring in 22 points and delivering the game’s biggest plays in the closing seconds.

The Bucks’ ability to remain composed late proved to be the difference. While the Lakers mounted a late rally to erase a deficit and tie the game, Milwaukee capitalized on Los Angeles’ mistakes and made just enough plays to escape Crypto.com Arena with a hard-fought road victory.

Controversial Final Sequence Sparks Debate

The defining moment of the game came in the final 40 seconds with the score tied at 101. LeBron James attacked the basket aggressively, attempting to put the Lakers ahead with a driving layup. As James elevated, Antetokounmpo rotated over from the weak side and met him at the rim, blocking the shot in a bang-bang play that immediately ignited controversy.

Lakers players reacted instantly, believing James was fouled on the drive. Fans inside the arena and watching at home echoed those sentiments, questioning whether contact on James’ arm or body should have resulted in free throws in such a critical moment.

Instead, play continued, and the Bucks gained possession.

Luka Dončić Fouls Out on the Other End

Moments later, Milwaukee took advantage of the momentum swing. Kevin Porter Jr. launched a three-point attempt while being closely contested by Dončić. The officials ruled that Dončić made illegal contact, whistling him for a foul on the shot.

The call proved costly on multiple levels. Not only did it send Porter Jr. to the free-throw line for three attempts, but it also fouled Dončić out of the game, removing one of the Lakers’ primary ball-handlers and late-game creators at the most critical juncture.

Porter Jr. converted two of the three free throws, giving Milwaukee a lead it would not relinquish.

NBA Last Two Minute Report Upholds Key Calls

Following the game, the NBA released its official Last Two Minute Report, addressing the controversial sequence that defined the outcome. According to the league, Antetokounmpo’s block on James was ruled legal, with no foul occurring on the play.

The report stated that Giannis made clean contact with the ball, validating the no-call despite the physical nature of the contest at the rim.

The ruling did little to quiet debate, particularly after James added fuel to the discussion on social media.

LeBron Reacts on Instagram

Shortly after the game, James posted a close-up image of the contested block to his Instagram stories, accompanied by a 🤦🏿 emoji. The post quickly went viral, drawing attention to what appeared to be contact from Bucks center Myles Turner during the play.

While the NBA determined the primary defender, Antetokounmpo, committed no foul, the image raised questions among fans about secondary contact that may have gone uncalled. James did not offer further comment, but the post made his frustration with the decision clear.

Lakers Continue Searching for Consistency

The loss marked the Lakers’ sixth defeat in their last 10 games, a stretch that has exposed ongoing issues with late-game execution and defensive consistency. Despite those struggles, Los Angeles still owns the fifth-best record in the Western Conference, a testament to the team’s overall talent and early-season success.

However, games like Friday’s serve as reminders that small margins can define outcomes against elite competition. The Lakers were competitive throughout, but failed to close effectively, allowing Milwaukee to dictate the final moments.

Quick Turnaround Ahead

Los Angeles will not have much time to dwell on the controversial ending. The Lakers are scheduled to face the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, a matchup that offers an opportunity to respond and regain momentum.

With James back in the lineup and Dončić continuing to shoulder a heavy workload, the focus will shift toward sharpening late-game execution and avoiding the costly mistakes that proved decisive against Milwaukee.

While the NBA’s ruling has officially closed the book on the controversial call, the debate surrounding the finish underscores a broader truth: for the Lakers, games against top-tier opponents often come down to a handful of possessions—and right now, those moments remain a work in progress.