The Los Angeles Lakers star landed on Dahntay Jones’ foot while attempting a baseline jumper that would have tied the game with less than four seconds remaining in regulation.
The Black Mamba was not too happy with the development.
After the game, Bryant said referees need to do a better job protecting shooters from defenders who go underneath them while shooting.
“As defensive players, you can contest shots, but you can't walk underneath players,” Bryant said. “That's dangerous for the shooter.”
Bryant later tweeted: “#dangerousplay that should have been called. Period.”
Jones responded via Twitter: “Tape doesn't lie. Ankle was turned on the floor after the leg kick out that knocked him off balance. I would never try to hurt the man.
Bryant suffered a similar injury in the 2000 NBA Finals when then-Indiana Pacer Jalen Rose pulled a not-so classy move. He stopped short of calling Jones’ play deliberate, but made no secret about his displeasure.
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