A dramatic ending to Saturday's matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena stole the spotlight as a series of events, including a malfunctioning shot clock and a controversial call against LeBron James, led to a 23-minute delay in the final minutes of the game, according to CNN.

With less than two minutes left and the Lakers trailing by just four points, fans anticipated a thrilling conclusion to the intense rivalry.

However, James' crucial three-pointer was nullified after officials ruled that he had stepped out of bounds, increasing the Lakers' deficit to seven points with only 1:50 remaining.

Subsequently, the game faced further delays due to a malfunctioning shot clock.

Despite multiple attempts to rectify the issue, the play was repeatedly interrupted, frustrating players and fans alike.

To mitigate the confusion, arena officials resorted to announcing the remaining time on the shot clock in real-time intervals.

READ NEXT  : LeBron James Injury

Reactions and Displeasure

Following the game, both LeBron James and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed discontent with the situation, ESPN noted.

"It was bizarre," Kerr said. "It seems like a few times a year, you get clock issues. That's about as extreme as I've been a part of where the backup unit doesn't work either. It's unfortunate. I felt bad for the fans. That was a great game, and then in the last two minutes, everyone is just kind of looking at each other wondering what to do," he added.

James questioned the timing and validity of the ruling against his three-pointer, while Kerr criticized the rules governing such reviews, emphasizing their negative impact on the game's flow and momentum.

The contentious ruling on Lebron James' shot echoed a similar incident from a previous game, further fueling debate over the effectiveness and fairness of NBA officiating.

Despite differing opinions, both sides stressed the importance of ensuring accuracy in officiating while acknowledging the disruptive consequences of prolonged delays.

Continuing Controversy

As the Warriors-Lakers game resumed amidst mounting frustration, the disruptions persisted, with repeated false starts due to the malfunctioning shot clock.

The prolonged delays drew audible boos from the crowd and even garnered attention from celebrities in attendance, Fox News reports.

Despite the chaos, both teams continued to compete fiercely.

However, the events of the game's final moments left lingering questions about the effectiveness of NBA officiating protocols and the need for reforms to minimize disruptions and uphold the integrity of the game.

In the aftermath of the game, Lakers players highlighted previous instances of shot clock malfunctions during the match, pointing out inconsistencies in officiating.

While the outcome flipped Warriors and Lakers standings in the Western Conference, both teams acknowledged the importance of every game as the season approaches its conclusion.

Ultimately, Saturday's game showcased the challenges and controversies inherent in professional basketball officiating, sparking discussions about the need for greater consistency and efficiency in enforcing the rules.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Laker Fans FURIOUS After Shot Clock Refuses to Start for 20 Minutes! NBA Warriors Lakers - From BlacktopBuckets