The Golden State Warriors won a very close play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a score of 121-116. However, the end of the game was messy, with many turnovers, missed free throws, and fouls. As usual with late-game fouls, there was a lot of debate about the referee decisions. The NBA`s official report on the last two minutes of the game confirmed that referees made four significant incorrect calls during this crucial time.
It looked like the Warriors had secured the win when Stephen Curry hit an important three-pointer with one minute left, putting them ahead 117-111. But the Grizzlies then scored five points in a row, closing the gap to just one point with 14 seconds remaining. Ultimately, Curry made four free throws, and the Grizzlies committed a turnover due to a five-second violation, which gave the Warriors the victory. The Warriors secured the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and were set to play against the No. 2 Houston Rockets in the first round.
Based on the NBA`s report, the Grizzlies might feel unfairly treated. They could argue they deserved to be in the Warriors` position and not have to compete in another play-in game against the winner of the Sacramento Kings versus Dallas Mavericks game.
Let`s examine each of the four incorrect referee calls:
1:29 – Foul on Draymond Green
With one minute and 29 seconds left and the Grizzlies down by five, Scotty Pippen Jr. drove to the basket and lost control of the ball. He managed to put up a shot that bounced off the rim, and Zach Edey tipped it in. However, the NBA report stated that Draymond Green illegally made contact with Pippen Jr.`s wrist after Pippen Jr. gathered the ball. This should have been called a foul.
The Grizzlies still scored two points on the play, but the missed call was significant. If the foul had been called, it would have been Green`s sixth foul, meaning he would have been taken out of the game for the remaining minute and a half. Instead, he continued to play for another 30 seconds before committing his sixth foul with just under a minute left.
1:28 – Goaltending by Edey
Remember Edey`s tip-in that reduced the Warriors` lead to three points? It should not have counted. The NBA report said Edey touched the ball when it was above the rim in the imaginary cylinder, which is offensive goaltending.
These types of calls are hard to make in real-time because players are so high above the rim. However, the referees missed this call, which could have changed the game`s final moments significantly.
0:37 – Clean Block by Podziemski
Replays during the broadcast suggested the referees made a mistake on this play, and the report confirms it. Pippen Jr. stole the ball and drove towards the basket with Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski chasing him. As Pippen Jr. went for a layup and switched hands in the air, Podziemski jumped and attempted to block the shot, appearing to hit mostly the ball. The referees called a foul on Podziemski, and Pippen Jr. got two free throws.
The NBA report stated that `Podziemski made contact with the ball during Pippen Jr.`s shot attempt near the basket,` and any contact after that was incidental.
Pippen Jr. made one of the two free throws, bringing the Grizzlies within three points, but these points should not have been awarded.
0:07 – Wrong Team Awarded Ball
With less than 10 seconds left and the Grizzlies down by one, they were trying to foul. Ja Morant reached in to steal the ball from Curry, and the ball went out of bounds. The referees gave possession to Golden State. TV cameras caught Morant telling the referee that it should have been a foul on Curry. But Morant was incorrect – not only was it not a foul, but the ball should have been given to the Grizzlies.
According to the NBA report, `After Morant reached in and made contact with the ball, it touched Curry`s hand last before going out of bounds.` Therefore, possession should have been awarded to Memphis, not Golden State.
This was a very important error because it would have given the Grizzlies the ball back with a chance to take the lead with seven seconds remaining.
In conclusion, both teams were negatively affected by incorrect calls in the last two minutes, as two calls went against each team. However, the game could have unfolded differently if the officiating had been accurate.
It`s important to note that the five-second violation called against the Grizzlies in the final seconds, which was a crucial play, was correctly called.
Jasper Hawthorne