Rockets’ Ime Udoka Shades Lakers After Tense Exchange With LeBron James Leads to Ejection

The matchup between the Rockets and Lakers on Saturday night provided some added drama when LeBron James and Houston coach Ime Udoka shared some words. 

However, it quickly became apparent the conversation wasn’t the two just exchanging pleasantries, as they began to jaw back and forth while glaring at each other–all while an official stood right between them.

Udoka was eventually ejected from the game for a second technical, seemingly due to whatever he said, while James was assessed his first tech. But that wasn’t the end of the fun.

Ime Udoka got ejected after having some words with Bron ???? pic.twitter.com/GzNak5ZLzn

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 3, 2023

It remains a mystery what turned things so tense between James and Udoka, but after the game, Houston’s coach decided to hit Los Angeles with a jab in his post-game press conference. 

Udoka said it wasn’t a good sign that the Lakers, who are “not known for physicality or punking people,” ultimately “punked” the Rockets in a 107–97 loss, per SB Nation’s Lachard Binkley.

Coach Udoka was not happy with the Rockets effort.
“To kinda get punked by a team not known for physicality or punking people is not a good sign” pic.twitter.com/pNU5dhqNFj

— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) December 3, 2023

The officials may have ejected Udoka from the game but apparently, it didn’t end the feud. James finished the game with 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting while tacking on seven assists and four rebounds, but also turned the ball over five times.

These two teams have already met three times this season, with the Lakers now holding a 2–1 edge in the series. Their final meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 29 in Houston.