NBA Addresses The Controversial Warriors Vs. Lakers Call

The call, along with a malfunctioning shot clock, conspired to add 23 minutes to an already heated game that was otherwise just two minutes from its end.

How The End Played Out

Fewer than two minutes were left when the Lakers trailed the Warriors by four according to the game’s box scores, and the rivals seemed to be swiftly on their way to the end of another chapter. But then a three-pointer from LeBron James was denied after officials ruled he had netted it from out of bounds, and the deficit increased to seven points by 1:50 on the shot clock. 

But then, strangely, the shot clock began to malfunction. Despite several attempts to fix the clock and continue the game, referees had no choice but to require the arena PA announcer to announce the remaining time in real time at five second intervals.

James later addressed the unusual situation, remarking that he had never seen the time called out in that way during a game before and that he believed it took away some of their momentum. He finished the game with 40 points, matching his high of the season thus far, as well as nine assists and eight rebounds, playing hard to carry the team in the absence of the injured Anthony Davis. 

Meanwhile, longtime rival of James, Stephen Curry, gave the Warriors 31 points after coming back from a three-game absence due to his sprained ankle, whilst Klay Thompson brought 26 points from the bench. 

Steve Kerr Went Off After The Game

Anyone who was paying attention to NBA news after the game undoubtedly heard Warriors coach Steve Kerr lament the situation to reporters with brutal honesty as he always does. He called the ending a bizarre scenario for the failure of the backup clock and said that he “felt bad for the fans.”

It had been an intense game as it usually is between the state rivals, even after LA lost Davis, creating a hole for the Warriors to take advantage of, racking up points in the absence of the Lakers’ defensive nous. 

Kerr agreed that the challenge to James’ three-pointer interrupted the flow of the game, as well as represented a rule he’d “love to see go away.” But while James ultimately defended the referees and the jobs they have to do, Kerr complained about the 45 seconds that had been undone by “half an inch” over the line.

The NBA Breaks Its Silence & Makes A Statement

Regardless of how one may feel about the decision, it’s one that has been finalised. The NBA released its Pool Report on the matter, in which David Guthrie explained the ruling, stating: 

“James’ left foot is out of bounds as he begins to shoot. Yes, it is reviewable at that time. The rule is Rule 13, Section II(f)(3): Whether the shooter committed a boundary line violation, the replay center official will only look at the position of the player’s feet at the moment they touch the floor immediately prior to the release of the shot. This can be applied during other replay triggers as well.”

Guthrie finished and said that the reset to 24 seconds was “not a reviewable matter” because it was on the officiating crew to notice the problem while it’s happening and because the clock reset cannot be undone once it happens.

Since the 2008-9 NBA season, referees have reviewed every play that they reasonably believe the clock malfunctioned during and has either continued to or should have continued to 0:00. According to the Association, only a certain number of scenarios are considered reviewable matters, with two particular rules that apply for all:

1. Clock malfunctions occur when a clock starts early, late, or freezes during play
2. Officials will not make a ruling on clock malfunctions before using replay

These rules are important to understand if you’re wagering on online independent betting sites, because in-game occurrences can shift the odds in ways you may not expect otherwise. It also suggests that the matter has been reviewed carefully with video.

After the fifth shot clock violation of the game, refs brought out a stop watch and informed the Lakers’ PA announcer to call out the remainder of the quarter in five second intervals. It turned out that he didn’t have to worry about that for very long, though, as the Lakers immediately turned over the ball and the Warriors scored and put victory out of reach for LA.

Yet somehow, it’s not even the most interesting game for the two rivals in the season series; the first matchup entered double overtime, finally ending when the Lakers came out ahead by a single point at 145-144. 

One more match is scheduled for the two on 9 April, and the playoff implications – amplified by the big rival matches so far – might just be enormous.