
The Dallas Mavericks suffered their third consecutive loss on Wednesday, falling to the struggling New Orleans Pelicans in a game marred by controversy, as reported by Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News.
The Mavs were trailing by just one point with 15 seconds left when they managed to force a turnover from Jordan Hawkins, giving them a fast break opportunity.
With the clock winding down and only about five seconds remaining, Spencer Dinwiddie attempted a layup that struck the backboard.
However, the ball was subsequently goaltended by Pelicans forward Trey Murphy, a clear violation. Despite this, the referees did not make the call, much to the frustration of the Mavs.
The missed call was significant, as it would have likely given Dallas the chance to take the lead or secure the game in those final moments.
The controversy surrounding the no-call sparked plenty of debate among players, coaches, and fans alike.
The NBA’s last two-minute report, which reviews the accuracy of calls in crucial moments of games, later confirmed that the referees had indeed missed the goaltending violation, as noted by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon in a tweet.
This acknowledgment did little to ease the frustration of the Mavs, who are now reeling from yet another tough defeat.
Mavericks Notes: Lively, Irving, Dudley, Losing Streak https://t.co/l7fgQv88bI pic.twitter.com/6UXOBL7Ff6
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 16, 2025