The NBA has confirmed that its referees made the wrong call at the end of the New York Knicks-Pistons game that led to a win by the former.
"Upon postgame review, we determined that Thompson gets to the ball first, and then was deprived of the opportunity to gain possession of the ball," crew chief James Williams said.
"Therefore, a loose-ball foul should have been whistled on New York's Donte DiVincenzo."
The non-call led to a Josh Hart and-one that allowed them to steal the lead back with 2.8 seconds left.
Detroit Pistons coach Monty Williams was frustrated post-game and called it the worst call of all time. His team is heavily struggling, and they could use a win against an above-500 team to boost confidence.
Guard Quentin Grimes, who was a Knicks a month ago, said the call would have been different if it was the other way around.
It is remarkable that the NBA referees admit to their mistakes. However, that is not the first. Many have complained about late-game calls and their tendency to call technical fouls and ejections on dunks mindlessly or for complaining.
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The New York Knicks-Detroit Pistons game was just one of many matchups this season that could have gone differently if only the game officials had more awareness.
Here are the four other controversial games the NBA referees admitted to making the wrong call.
1. Knicks loss to Houston Rockets
Jalen Brunson and the rest of the Knicks were also on the wrong end of a referee blunder when he was called for a late-game foul call against Houston Rockets that led to three free throws by Aaron Holiday.
The game was tied at that time.
After the game, the referees admitted they judged it poorly, stating that the contact was incidental and marginal to the shot attempt.
2. Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
The referees showed early into the season how much improvement they need when a late-game non-call on Joel Embiid led to a victory against the Boston Celtics.
A last two-minute report by the league clarified that the Sixers star was out of bounds during one play that should have led to Celtics possession. The play happened at 1:43 of the fourth quarter, with the game separated by just one possession.
3. Flopping call on Jalen Brunson vs Celtics
The Knicks have been caught in the middle of wrong calls by the referees this season multiple times.
Another was when Brunson got a tech for flopping after attempting a three-point shot. The play occurred in the late stage of the game with his team leading, 88-86.
Upon review, it was revealed that Brunson did not flop but fell awkwardly on Jayson Tatum's foot. He should have gotten three free throws.
Instead, the momentum swung to the Celtics' favor. Boston won the game.
The NBA Referees X account shared that they missed the foot-to-foot contact.
What happens if a team protests the result?
NBA teams could protest the results if they find merit in it. The NBA rule book says:
"In order to protest against or appeal from the result of a game, notice thereof must be given to the commissioner within forty-eight (48) hours after the conclusion of said game, by e-mail or fax, stating therein the grounds for such protest. No protest may be filed in connection with any game played during the regular season after midnight of the day of the last game of the regular schedule. A protest in connection with a playoff game must be filed not later than midnight of the day of the game protested."
The final judgment falls on the lap of the commissioner.
However, the success rate of a protest is low.
There are only six instances where the protesting team succeeded, with the games in question either re-played from the point where the wrong call was made.
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