NBA admits it blew crucial goaltending call against Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. – The NBA admitted their officials blew a crucial call in Monday night’s Blazers game, but that’s likely little consolation for fans after the team went on to lose in overtime.
The Blazers were up by two points on the Oklahoma City Thunder with 6 seconds left in the game when LaMarcus Aldridge went up for a block against Kevin Durant. The fans thought it was a clean block, but the referees called in goaltending and the Thunder were given two points.
Watch video of the block
Regulation ended in a tie and the Thunder went on to win 111-107 in overtime.
On Tuesday, the NBA released a statement on their officiating blog saying the goaltending call was incorrect.
“With the benefit of slow motion replay following the game, it has been determined that Aldridge made contact with the ball just before the ball hit the backboard. Therefore, this should have been ruled a good block and goaltending was the incorrect call,” the NBA said.
Aldridge and Blazers coach Nate McMillan said afterward that they did not believe Aldridge touched the ball after it hit the backboard.
"I thought it was a clean block," McMillan said. "The game should have been over."
Aldridge, who finished the game with 39 points, also said he believed the block was clean.
"The ref who called it was the furthest one from the basket, so that's pretty interesting," said Aldridge.
NBA rules say that officials can not use instant replay on goaltending calls.
Read the NBA's rulebook and watch rules videos
The Associated Press contributed to this report
