LeBron James Criticizes NBA Ref After Cavaliers' 26-Point Collapse vs. Hawks

Todd Kirkland/Associated Press

LeBron James was critical of the officiating Sunday after the Cleveland Cavaliers blew a 26-point lead in the fourth quarter and ultimately lost to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime, 126-125, per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.

James was particularly incensed when he wasn't granted a timeout after inbounding the ball to Kyrie Irving and attempting to call timeout as the Hawks moved to trap the point guard:

I'm sitting right next to the ref, and the explanation he gave me, I never heard in my 14-year career. Never. He told me that I'm not allowed to call timeout because he didn't know who had possession of the ball. And I was the one who entered the ball to Kyrie. And as…