Dirk Nowitzki took a playful jab at the Los Angeles Lakers following their Game 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, adding a touch of humor to the ongoing officiating controversy. The Lakers fell 125-107 on Thursday night, dropping to a 0-2 series deficit, and frustrations boiled over as players and coaches voiced their displeasure with the referees.

JJ Redick, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James all expressed their dissatisfaction with the officiating after the game, sparking heated debates across the NBA. But Nowitzki, speaking on Prime Video's NBA Nightcap show, offered a lighthearted perspective. "The Lakers are the team that usually always wins the free throw battle," he said. "This is a little new to them that they’re getting clobbered a lot." He then added, "You need to work the ref, you need to position yourself for the next game. That’s just part of the playoffs."

In Game 2, the Lakers attempted 21 free throws, making 18, while the Thunder went to the line 26 times and scored 21 points. Redick, in his post-game press conference, argued that Oklahoma City players "have a few guys that foul on every possession" without getting called. He emphasized that facing a team of the Thunder's caliber is already tough, and officiating should focus on making correct calls rather than adding to the challenge.

As the series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3, the Lakers will need to adjust their approach—both on the court and in their communication with officials—if they hope to turn the tide against a relentless Thunder squad.