The Los Angeles Lakers may have beaten the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night, but that did not stop LeBron James from publicly questioning a decision made by the NBA officials in the high-stakes Western Conference showdown.

The Lakers edged their cross-town rivals, 106-102, at Crypto.com Arena, but a chippy play involving James and Clippers star Kawhi Leonard nearly gave the trailing team a route to an unlikely victory in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

With 16.6 seconds left in the game and the Clippers down by four points, Leonard appeared to intercept an inbound pass to James, but he was whistled for a foul on the defensive play.

Tyronn Lue challenged the foul call, and NBA official Zach Zarba’s explanation to overturn the decision on the floor because of “marginal contact” left James dumbfounded.

The Clippers got possession back, but they were unable to score again. The game finished 106-102 without another point being scored.

After the game, James saw the freeze-frame image of the contact his former USA Basketball teammate made on him. The Lakers forward posted it on his Instagram story to his 159 million followers with a clear message calling the officials into question.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers have been fined this season for publicly criticizing officials in postgame press conferences.

James has avoided fines by not directly criticizing officials in the past, and the vagueness of his Instagram post may be enough to save him in this case again.

Leonard and James will square off again on Sunday for the second time in three days. James had 28 points on Friday, while “The Klaw” finished with 21 in their first matchup of the week. Lakers guard Luka Doncic led all scorers with 31 points on his 26th birthday.

LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard have long been two of the most dominant forces in the NBA, often finding themselves on opposite sides of high-stakes battles. LeBron, known for his unmatched versatility, leadership, and longevity, continues to be the face of the league, delivering elite performances even in his 21st season. Meanwhile, Kawhi, a two-time NBA champion and one of the best two-way players in the game, has built a reputation for his lockdown defense and clutch shot-making. Their matchups have consistently produced thrilling moments, with each player pushing the other to their limits in fierce competition.

Their latest encounter took a controversial turn when a key play involving Kawhi Leonard sparked outrage from LeBron James, leading him to call out the NBA officials. Never one to shy away from speaking his mind, LeBron openly criticized the referees, believing that the call—or lack thereof—significantly impacted the game. His frustration reflects the ongoing debate over officiating consistency in the league, especially when it comes to superstar treatment. With both players being pivotal to their respective teams’ championship hopes, every decision matters, and this latest incident only adds to the intensity of their ongoing rivalry.