NBA Admits Massive Blown Call in Mavericks-Timberwolves Game 2

The Dallas Mavericks won Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves by a final score of 109-108. Luka Doncic hit a game-winning three over Rudy Gobert with four seconds remaining to put Dallas up by one point, and Minnesota was unable to answer on the other end.

With 47 seconds remaining, Dallas challenged an out of bounds call after possession was initially awarded to Minnesota on a play that seemed to go out of bounds off Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. Dallas won the challenge, regaining possession, but the ruling was incredibly controversial.

While the ball did go off McDaniels, the Timberwolves forward was clearly fouled by Kyrie Irving. Since no foul was called, the officials were unable to assess one after reviewing the play, and gave possession to Dallas.

Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune conducted a Pool Report with Crew Chief Zach Zarba to discuss this play, and Zarba explained why it was ruled Dallas ball.

The following transcript is via the NBA's official Pool Report :

QUESTION: During the review that resulted in the turnover on Jaden McDaniels late in the game can you explain if you also saw a foul that should have been called at that point?

ZARBA : During the game we felt it was a normal out of bounds play and that’s what was ruled. Obviously, it gets challenged and the replay center overturns it because it last touched McDaniels. Postgame review we did see illegal contact from (Kyrie) Irving to the forearm of McDaniels that should have been called a foul.

QUESTION : Just to clarify now, at that point Dallas has challenged the play, there is no way Minnesota can then challenge that call to say the ball went out of bounds because he got fouled?

ZARBA: Correct. Per NBA rules you can’t challenge the no call on the foul in that case.

As Zarba admitted, the officiating crew missed the foul on Irving, but could not assess one after the fact. This is a rule many have said needs to be changed, because if the intent of replay is to get the call right, the officials should be able to review a play in its entirety.

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