NBA: 5 incorrect non-calls at end of Spurs-Thunder game

NEW YORK — The NBA said Tuesday there were five incorrect non-calls on the wild final sequence in San Antonio, including a foul on Oklahoma City’s Dion Waiters that referees earlier had already acknowledged they missed.

The league agreed with the refs that Waiters should’ve been whistled for knocking Manu Ginobili back with his elbow to create space to throw an inbounds pass, but also ruled in its Last 2 Minute report that Ginobili first committed a delay-of-game violation by stepping on the sideline as he was defending.

The inbounds play began a frenzied final 13.5 seconds in the Thunder’s 98-97 victory over San Antonio on Monday in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Spurs ended up stealing Waiters’ pass to Kevin Durant to start a fast break but couldn’t score, leaving the Western Conference semifinal tied at 1-1.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Referee Ken Mauer, the crew chief, said after the game that upon seeing a review of the play, there should have been an offensive foul on Waiters.

On Tuesday, the referees union wrote on Twitter that it had never seen the play before and would incorporate it into its training moving forward.

“Waiters foul on Ginobili was the worst missed call in playoff history,” Hall of Famer Magic Johnson wrote on Twitter after the game.

But the problems didn’t stop there.

The league determined that the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard and Patty Mills grabbed and held Thunder players, affecting their movement and ability to get open to catch the inbound pass.

Once the Spurs came up with it, Mills ended up getting a jumper from the corner that missed. The Spurs couldn’t get off a clean attempt on the offensive rebound, and the league determined that was because the Thunder’s Serge Ibaka grabbed LaMarcus Aldridge’s jersey and affected his attempt.

Had that been called, Aldridge — who scored 41 points and made all 10 free throws — would have attempted two shots from the line to win the game.

Game 3 is Friday in Oklahoma City.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Edmonds-Woodway senior Alex Plumis is The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Plumis

The Edmonds-Woodway senior scored 23 goals and dished nine assists.

Everett's Luis Suisbel hit a walkoff solo home run against Tri-City at Funko Field on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox Sweep Dust Devils in Doubleheader

Playing two games to account for a May 11 rainout… Continue reading

Wesco all-league boys soccer teams announced

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for boys soccer. WESCO 4A First… Continue reading

TJ Oshie and Mike Murphy pose for a picture in the Washington Capitals' locker room in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 9, 2018. Oshie and the Capitals would win the Stanley Cup later that season. (Photo courtesy of Mike Murphy)
Remembering TJ Oshie’s hockey origins after his NHL retirement

The Everett native’s youth coach recalls his early playing days and impact on Seattle Jr. Hockey.

Everett Firefighters (from left to right) Andy Denzel, Galen Wallace and climb team captain Mike Dunmire prepare to climb the Columbia Tower staircase in Seattle during the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Firefighter Stairclimb on March 9, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Steve Baer / FireDogPhotos)
Everett Fire Department honored as top Columbia Tower climb fundraiser

50 firefighters combined to raise $81,000 to fight blood cancers.

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participates in a workout at minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
QB Sam Darnold shows smack talk side to Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks’ offseason program has gone so well that… Continue reading

Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) kicks the ball during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks punter signs extension

Veteran punter Michael Dickson signed a four-year extension Tuesday morning.… Continue reading

Tyrese Haliburton (0) of the Indiana Pacers is defended by Cason Wallace (22) of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 8, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (William Purnell / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton dealing with lower leg discomfort

Star guard not worried about Game 3 availability

The awards table with different athletic honors and trophies at the Everett Community College Athletics 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Everett, Washington on June 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Everett CC Athletics enshrine 2025 Hall of Fame class

The late Chet Hovde, longtime women’s hoops coach, headlines the seven-member class.

Everett AquaSox infielder Colt Emerson cracks his bat as he gets a hit during the game against the Tri-City Dust Devils on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
AquaSox weekend update: Frogs throw combined no-hitter

Three AquaSox pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter in… Continue reading

AquaSox pounded by Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds hit the AquaSox early and often… Continue reading

Tyrese Haliburton hit a last-second shot to take down favored Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. (Yong Kim / Tribune News Services)
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton stuns Thunder to open NBA Finals

Tyrese Haliburton raced up the court, paused for a… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.