Just after the Lakers defeated the Trail Blazers to notch their fourth straight victory with a 124-118 win on Friday night, Portland big man Robert Williams III had an awkward encounter with a Los Angeles staffer.
According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, Williams was seen walking down the court after the final buzzer and had the game ball tucked in his arm to give to teammate Jrue Holiday, who surpassed Steve Nash in career scoring and moved into the top 100 NBA scorers of all time.
Jrue Holiday walking on the court during Friday's loss to the Lakers. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Williams said the Lakers official told him, "They had to turn it in to the NBA."
Quick reported that Williams didn't realize at the time that he is supposed to return the game ball, and that he should've known better and not forgotten the cardinal rule.
"I was taught that as soon as you get the ball, just run into the locker room," Williams told Quick.
While Williams was unable to bring Holiday the ball, he told Quick that securing the ball didn't really matter to Holiday and "I don't think he even knew" that he reached the milestone.
While the Trail Blazers watched Lakers superstar Luka Doncic post his second 50-point performance of the season, Holiday's milestone night came after he tallied 12 points, one rebound and seven assists in 31 minutes.
Friday's game marked the second loss of the season for Portland.
Portland Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams III attempting to block Luka Doncic. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
