WATCH: “That’s a foul LeCry!” – LeBron James’ THUMPING ‘chasedown block’ on Jayson Tatum breaks the internet

Celtics fans cry foul over LeBron's block in high-octane Lakers-Celtics Christmas showdown.

WATCH: “That’s a foul LeCry!” – LeBron James’ THUMPING ‘chasedown block’ on Jayson Tatum breaks the internet

LeBron James doesn’t believe the Lakers are good enough yet to compete against top teams after ‘tough’ Celtics loss (Image via NBAE)

In a moment that has set social media ablaze, LeBron James delivered a stunning chase-down block on Jayson Tatum during the Los Angeles Lakers – Boston Celtics Christmas matchup. The play, which occurred in a crucial phase of the game, saw James sprinting down the court to deny Tatum a scoring opportunity, leading to a frenzy among NBA fans and analysts.

The incident, however, was only initially celebrated and quickly turned controversial. Referee Scott Foster, upon review, overturned the call citing a foul by Taurean Prince, not LeBron. This decision sparked a heated debate among fans, with many Celtics supporters claiming it was a foul, while Lakers fans seemed to claim that things were not exactly ‘clear.’

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LeBron James commented post-game;

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I'm kinda on the fence on that rule. If you called a foul on me, then you shouldn't be able to go back and say the foul was on someone else.

Despite the controversy, the play has seemingly gone viral on social, with fans dissecting every angle. LeBron’s athleticism and defensive prowess were on full display, but the subsequent call reversal overshadowed the sheer brilliance of the block.

Led by Kristaps Porzingis with 28 points and 11 rebounds, all five starters had at least 18 points for the Boston Celtics in their 126-115 Christmas dub. Jayson Tatum added 25 points, Jaylen Brown had 19 points and Derrick White recorded 18 points and 11 assists.

The game was a nail-biter, with Anthony Davis hitting the 40-point mark for the 40th time in a regular season game, and the Los Angeles Lakers getting ahead with a Jared Vanderbilt dunk in the third quarter. Despite LeBron James putting up another 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, the Lakers still dropped the sixth of their eight games since winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament.

LeBron’s block adds another moment of controversy in the Lakers-Celtics rivalry

The Lakers-Celtics rivalry, steeped in history, added another chapter with this game. While LeBron’s block will be remembered for its controversy, it also highlights the intense competition and high stakes whenever these two storied franchises meet.

Anthony Davis scored 40 points and grabbed 13 rebounds
Anthony Davis scored 40 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Los Angeles Lakers (The Los Angeles Times)

Fans took to Twitter to express their opinions on the block:

The debate over the block encapsulates the passion and intensity of NBA fandom. While Lakers fans hailed it as a testament to LeBron’s enduring defensive skills, Celtics fans viewed it as a missed foul call, adding , more fuel to an already fiery rivalry.

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