The San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder played an extremely close and competitive Game 2 in San Antonio Tuesday night, one which ended in quite the controversy.
It was everything fans could have asked for. LaMarcus Aldridge had a monster game for the Spurs with 41 points on 15-of-21 shooting from the field, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Kevin Durant had 28 points for the Thunder, and Russell Westbrook had 29 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.
Unfortunately the game won’t be remembered for their performances, but for a no-call at the end of the game. The Spurs were able to get within one point of the Thunder. Dion Waiters was inbounding the ball for the Thunder, with Manu Ginobili guarding him. As time was passing, Waiters appeared to push off of Ginobili before throwing the ball in bounds:
what just happened pic.twitter.com/pUbT4L2tJ2
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) May 3, 2016
A closer look at the play revealed just how much contact was made, and it certainly appeared that a foul should have been called on Waiters:
Another angle of Dion Waiters pushing Manu Ginobili out of the way with his elbow pic.twitter.com/s5s85GFojF
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) May 3, 2016
The Spurs ended up stealing the ball, but weren’t able to convert after a pair of shot attempts, and lost the game 98-97. Gregg Popovich was livid on the sideline with the referees after the final whistle, and understandably so.
But, the Oklahoma City Thunder had a fair gripe in their own. While a violation could have been called on Dion Waiters, Manu Ginobili appeared to step on the line, which isn’t legal either:
Obviously Waiters can’t shove Ginobili, but Ginobili can’t go over the line either. pic.twitter.com/9SY1UO8FLH
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) May 3, 2016
If those two things weren’t enough for you, later on in the play, it looks as though a San Antonio Spurs fan holds onto the arm of Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams as he falls out of bounds. Adams rips his arm away, the play finishes, and the game ends.
whoa whoa whoa AND Steven Adams had his arm grabbed by a fan on that last play pic.twitter.com/2EwdJuwMnv — Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) May 3, 2016
The NBA releases Last Two Minute Reports (L2M) for all games that are within five points at the two minute mark of regulation that determine whether calls or no-calls are correct. The outcome of tonight’s game will certainly be something to look for tomorrow afternoon when it’s announced by the league.
UPDATE: Lead referee Ken Mauer says a foul should’ve been called on the play.
Lead referee Ken Mauer said a foul should’ve been called on Waiters. He also says he’s never seen that play before. pic.twitter.com/LjWxEhCyJB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 3, 2016
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