NBA refs get torched for Mavs-Warriors controversial bucket (Video)

The referees for the Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors game on Wednesday were criticized for their ruling on a controversial bucket.

The NBA had a gigantic game on Wednesday night, as the Dallas Mavericks hosted the Golden State Warriors. Not to mention that this was Mavericks star Luka Doncic returning from a thigh injury that sidelined him for five games. Instead of the game, the talk is regarding the calls by the referees. Well, one in particular.

In the third quarter, the Mavericks called a timeout and were informed by the on-court officials that they were going to have possession of the basketball. But, referees changed their minds on the call, and instead allowed the Warriors to inbound. While Dallas was standing at midcourt, the Warriors inbounded the ball to Kevon Looney, who had an easy, uncontested layup to give Golden State two points.

Take a look for yourselves.

To make matters that much worse for the Mavericks, those points were actually decisive, as they lost 127-125 to the Warriors.

Mavericks to protest loss vs. Warriors due to controversial call by referees

Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban took to Twitter to describe the situation in his own words.

"“For those wondering about the play with 1:54 to go on the 3rd, let me explain what happened. The ref called Mavs ball . The announcer announced it. Then there was a timeout . During the time out the official changed the call and never told us,” writes Cuban. “Then when they saw us line up as if it were our ball, he just gave the ball to the warriors. Never said a word to us. They got an easy basketball. Crazy that it would matter in a 2 point game. Worst officiating non call mistake possibly in the history of the NBA . All they had to do was tell us and they didn’t.”"

According to Shams Charania, NBA insider for The Athletic and Stadium, the Mavericks plan to file a formal protest to the NBA for the “alleged referee mistake.”

As for the Mavericks’ chances of winning the protest, NBA correspondent Marc Stein notes that the last time a protest succeeded in the league was back in 2008.

As if things couldn’t get any crazier, later on in the game, there was a non-call that caught the ire of Doncic. The Mavericks star was spotted on the broadcast making a money gesture towards a referee.

With this result, the Mavericks fell down to ninth place in the Western Conference with a 36-37 record. As for the Warriors, they sit in sixth with a 38-36 record. These standing are immediately after the Dallas-Golden State game went final on Wednesday night.

We will continue to keep you updated on this story once additional details are provided.