NBA says refs blew the foul call that cost Hornets the game in 2OT vs. Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks’ winning free throws in a double-overtime victory over the Charlotte Hornets shouldn’t have happened, the NBA’s last-two-minute report concluded.
Hawks rookie De’Andre Hunter took three foul shots, making them all, with 13 seconds left, breaking the final tie in a 143-138 win Monday at State Farm Arena. The NBA’s review of that game said Hornets rookie Caleb Martin should not have been charged with the foul that sent Hunter to the line.
The NBA’s report said Martin cleanly blocked Hunter’s 3-point attempt, and the incidental contact Martin made with Hunter’s arm after the shot was released should not have been deemed a foul.
In addition to sending Hunter for free throws, that play fouled out Martin, who scored a career-high 23 points.
Hornets coach James Borrego was furious following the game over the officiating.
“Everything went in their direction — every big call,” Borrego said post-game.
“Was it right or not? I don’t know. I just watched the film. I’ll look for the review — what the league says — in that two-minute report. Very unfortunate, very disappointing end for the way our guys battled.”
The NBA’s report covered 30 plays from late in regulation through both overtimes. The only play incorrectly called, the report said, was that foul on Martin.
The NBA affirmed the review late in the first overtime that charged Hornets guard Terry Rozier with an offensive foul. The initial call, on Rozier’s baseline drive, was a foul against the Hawks’ Treveon Graham.
That review, in response to Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce’s challenge, was big, in that Rozier would have gone for two free throws with a second left in a tie game. The NBA’s report confirmed the ruling that Rozier extended his arm backward, hooking Graham’s side and affecting Graham’s ability to guard.
Rozier scored a career-high 40 points Monday and matched a career high with eight 3-pointers. He was careful with his words about the play at the end of the first overtime, looking to avoid a fine.
“Obviously, I don’t agree with it. I thought I was going to be shooting two free throws,” Rozier said. “Hey, they made a call. They reviewed it. I didn’t review it. So it is what it is.”
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 11:53 PM.
