Golden State Warriors: Christmas Loss Highlights NBA’s Officiating Issues

Replay Review Ripples

With 13 seconds remaining in the game, Golden State failed to get a shot off in time before the shot clock expired. The buzzer sounded before Klay Thompson even began his shooting motion, and it was clear on the court and on the broadcast that the shot did not count.

With Golden State up one, the Cavaliers had no timeouts remaining and no opportunity to draw up a play. Until, of course, the officials stopped play to confer with the replay booth in New Jersey to confirm the call on the court.

This afforded the Cavaliers the opportunity to huddle together and get a play call from head coach Tyronn Lue. Once the officials confirmed that the call on the court was correct, the Cavaliers proceeded to run the play that resulted in Kyrie Irving’s game-winning basket.

It’s debatable whether the extra time to prepare helped the Cavaliers. The Warriors had time to set their defense and substitute in personnel and the shot Irving hit was more of a one-on-one victory than a clever play call.

But regardless it became glaringly obvious that Cleveland was getting a free timeout.

This wasn’t the first time this situation has occurred either. In last year’s playoffs multiple television crews called to attention the “free timeout” teams without any remaining received when a call was reviewed.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr was beckoning his players back on defense because he seemingly did not want them to call for a review — it was clear on the court what the outcome would be and he didn’t want the Cavaliers the extra time.

Whether the situation is questionable or not, the league will need to figure out a solution to confirming calls that does not grant certain teams hidden benefits. As long as they don’t, it will continue to be a headline after marquee games.

And on calls where the replay was unnecessary, as on Christmas Day, the cries will only be louder.