Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic criticized NBA officials Tuesday night following the team's 132-131 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
An animated Rajakovic took issue with the free throw disparity between his team and the Lakers. Los Angeles shot 36 free throws in the game, including 14 by Anthony Davis, who had 41 points. Toronto shot just 13 free throws.
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Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic speaks to the media before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on January 9, 2024. (Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)
“It's outrageous. What happened tonight is complete nonsense,” the first-year Serbian coach said after the game. “This is a shame. A shame for the referees. A shame for the league for allowing this. Twenty-three free throws for them and we received two free throws in the fourth quarter? How to play the game? I understand the respect for everyone” . -Stars and all that, but we also have star players on our team.
“How (is it) possible for Scottie Barnes, who is an All-Star caliber player in this league, to go to the rim hard every time and try to get to the rim without falling over and without trying to get fouled? He gets two free throws in an entire game?” he added as he slammed the table repeatedly.
“How is that possible? How are you going to explain that to me?”
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Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, No. 4, reacts after a foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Rajakovic suggested the referees never gave Toronto a chance.
“Did you have to win tonight? If that's the case, let us know so we don't show up to the game,” he said. “Just give them a win. But that wasn't fair tonight. And this isn't happening for the first time for us. Scottie Barnes is going to be (an) All-Star. He's going to be the face of this league and what's happening here during “The whole season… it's complete bullshit.”
Rajakovic is likely to face a hefty fine for his rant.
He is not the first coach to object to fouls this season. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr was unhappy with the calls last month following a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, #3, defends against Toronto Raptors forward Thaddeus Young, #21, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 . (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Toronto fell to 15-22 with the loss. Barnes scored 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the field. RJ Barrett added 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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