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‘You’ve been wanting to do that for 25 years!’: LeBron James leaves NBA referee Scott Foster with a bloodied lip as the 6ft 9, 250-pound Lakers star collides with the referee during Lakers defeat against Denver Nuggets
- LeBron accidentally collided with Scott Foster shortly before halftime
- The Lakers lost the game and risk being swept by the Denver Nuggets
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
NBA referee Scott Foster was left with a bloodied lip after none other than LeBron James collided with him during the Lakers playoff loss to the Nuggets on Saturday night.
The incident happened with a few minutes left to go in the half – Austin Reaves tried to catch the Nuggets in transition after Jamal Murray scored and James sprinted up the court to help the attack.
Foster didn’t seem to anticipate the turn of pace from James, who brushed beyond him to chase up the court. But someone like James who is six-foot-nine and 250 pounds doesn’t exactly glide past many people and Foster was no exception.
A stoppage in play was needed as Foster – an NBA referee for 28 seasons – was cleaned up and he was fine to carry on officiating in the game, even with an alternative official on hand for playoff games.
James and Foster both saw the funny side, with a nearby mic catching their conversation.
LeBron James accidentally collided with referee Scott Walker in Saturday night’s playoff game
The official needed medical treatment for a bloodied lip but saw the funny side of things
‘Relax, I got it,’ Foster said. ‘I was trying to get out of your way. All good. You’ve been wanting to do that for 25 years!’
James said: ‘I didn’t see him, I turned and went. I was already in sprint mode. I didn’t see him. My bad, Scott.’
It ended up being an equally as painful night for James and his Lakers team – the 119-108 defeat leaves them facing the humiliation of being swept by Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
The Lakers are 3-0 down with the fourth and potentially final game coming on Monday evening back in Los Angeles.
But speaking after the game, James said he still held hope that his team could turn the series around.
‘I can´t speak for the guys right now because I don’t know what´s going through all their minds, but I still (believe),’ said LeBron James, who had 23 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds.
‘So it´s time to go right back home and start to refuel and start the treatment process and recovery process and get ready for Monday. My mindset is always locked in.’
Lakers coach Darvin Ham added: ‘They’ve been at the top of the food chain for a reason, and have a plethora of guys that can hurt you, as was on full display tonight.
‘But you know, circumstances are what they are. Difficult, but not impossible.’
