NBA Acknowledges Four Officiating Errors in Final Minutes of Warriors-Grizzlies Play-In Game

Four Errors Identified:: The L2M report highlighted four incorrect decisions made by the officiating crew within the last two minutes of the game.

Balanced Errors:: Two incorrect calls disadvantaged the Warriors, while two disadvantaged the Grizzlies.

Significant Potential Impacts:: Missed calls included a foul that should have disqualified Draymond Green, a goaltending violation that wasn't called, a clean block incorrectly whistled as a foul, and incorrect awarding of possession on an out-of-bounds play.

Why this matters:: In a game decided by just five points, these errors, particularly the incorrect possession awarded to Golden State with 7 seconds left in a one-point game, could have significantly altered the final outcome and playoff matchups. It underscores the intense scrutiny on officiating in high-stakes contests.

Missed Foul on Draymond Green (1:29 remaining): Green should have been assessed his sixth personal foul for contacting Scotty Pippen Jr.'s wrist during a drive. He would have fouled out, but remained in the game for another 30 seconds.

Missed Offensive Goaltending on Zach Edey (1:28 remaining): Edey tipped in a missed shot while the ball was still in the cylinder above the rim. This should have been disallowed, nullifying two points that cut the Warriors' lead to 114-111.

Incorrect Foul on Brandin Podziemski (0:37 remaining): Podziemski was called for a foul on Pippen Jr.'s layup attempt, despite the L2M report stating he cleanly blocked the ball. Pippen Jr. made one of two free throws, cutting the lead to 117-114, but the foul should not have been called.

Incorrect Out-of-Bounds Ruling (0:07 remaining): After Ja Morant deflected the ball from Stephen Curry, possession was given to Golden State. The L2M report stated the ball last touched Curry and possession should have been awarded to Memphis, giving them a chance to take the lead with 7 seconds left while trailing by one.

Officiating in high-pressure moments remains incredibly challenging and subject to scrutiny.

Even with reviews like the L2M report, game outcomes decided by incorrect calls cannot be overturned after the fact.

This highlights the thin margins that often decide playoff fates in the NBA.

ESPN: NBA says refs made 4 errors late in Grizzlies-Warriors finish target="_blank"

CBS Sports: Referees missed multiple crucial calls late in Warriors' play-in win over Grizzlies, NBA says target="_blank"