NBA releases statement on Clippers-Thunder, sides with referees

As expected, the NBA has released a statement regarding to the out-of-bounds play involving Matt Barnes and Reggie Jackson in Game 5 of Clippers-Thunder. And as expected, the NBA sides with their officials, saying they made the proper call due to inconclusive evidence.

“With 11.3 seconds left in the game, the basketball went out of bounds on the baseline and the referees ruled the ball belonged to the Thunder. The referees then used instant replay to review the play. In order to reverse the call made on the court, there has to be ‘clear and conclusive’ evidence. Since no replay provided such evidence, the play correctly stood as called with the Thunder retaining possession.”

Had the NBA felt opposite of their officials, the situation would have looked worse and it would’ve brought a tone of scrutiny to the league. But they agree and though the camera angles that were shown on the TNT network clearly saw the ball go off of Jackson’s hands, the league felt otherwise.

All-in-all, it’s hard to blame the referees on the Clippers losing that game. Mistake after mistake was made down the stretch, allowing the Thunder to come back, but when an obvious call such as the one the refs missed with 11.3 seconds left on the clock happens, it’s hard to separate the two when it’s all said and done.