NBA Takes Away LeBron's Triple-Double

Almost immediately after LeBron James' historic performance against the Knicks on Wednesday, I questioned whether or not he really did finish the game with that elusive triple double. After all, one of those late rebounds appeared to have been taken by Ben Wallace, even though LeBron was credited with his ninth of the game when it happened.

Apparently, the NBA agrees with me. Because the league has taken away LeBron's ninth rebound, and now his triple-double is gone right along with it.

Here's the official release:

The NBA announced today that a statistical error was made during the Cleveland Cavaliers-New York Knicks game on Feb. 4 at Madison Square Garden.

Cavaliers forward LeBron James was incorrectly credited with a rebound with 39.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter that should have been awarded to Cleveland forward Ben Wallace. Due to the correction, James finished Wednesday's game with nine rebounds – one rebound short of a triple-double – while Wallace ended with two rebounds.

All NBA games are reviewed to ensure the accuracy of the game statistics.

I don't doubt that the league routinely reviews its games for statistical accuracy, but I can't remember them issuing any press releases about it. Then again, changing something of the magnitude of LeBron's performance has to be explained I suppose, but still, the whole thing seems rather odd.

Sure, I thought that rebound should have gone to Wallace. But as Skeets pointed out, we really can't tell for sure without a baseline camera angle. It seems like it could just as easily be argued that Wallace never controlled the rebound or had possession before LeBron ended up with it. So unless the league has a clearer view of the play, changing it after the fact seems a bit silly.

LeBron Photos

** FILE ** In this Jan. 16, 2009 photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams (2) jumps to the basket against New Orleans Hornets' David West (30) in the fourth quarter in an NBA basketball game in Cleveland. Williams was not chosen as a reserve for the NBA All-Star team in a vote by Eastern Conference coaches. LeBron James and his teammates felt Williams belonged and took his omission as disrespectful to him and Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts as he falls into the row of photographers on the baseline after losing a rebound against the New York Knicks late in the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 4, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) greets director Spike Lee during the fourth quarter of the Cavaliers' 107-102 victory over the Knicks in their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. James had 52 points in the game. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles past David Lee #42 and Tim Thomas #2 of the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;David Lee;Tim Thomas

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers jokes with teammate Daniel Gibson #1 against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Daniel Gibson

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: Al Harrington #7 of the New York Knicks goes up against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Al Harrington;LeBron James

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 4: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Nate Robinson

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers falls against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James

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