As per a recent clip circulated online, one small negligence probably cost the Washington Wizards their game against the Brooklyn Nets. The referees on the court seemed to have missed a coach touching a live ball, eliciting an intense response from fans online. The Washington Wizards – currently edging towards the bottom half of the points table – need to make most of every game to help their playoffs chances.
Irrespective of the team one supports, fans have been upset at the missed call.
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On top of that, it could have changed the course of the game and let the Wizards secure a home win.
Brooklyn Nets assistant coach deflects live ball during Wizards vs Nets encounter
In the small clip shared online, the Nets assistant coach ends up reaching out for the ball mid-game. There were only a few minutes left in the game, and it ended up obstructing a pass from Spencer Dinwiddie to Kyle Kuzma. It resulted in a turnover when it could have been a free throw and a point for the Wizards.
Kuzma looked visibly baffled, trying to challenge, before having to turn his attention back to the game. While the game continued, it is obvious that almost everyone expected some kind of action to be taken. Unfortunately, the game went on and the Wizards suffered a 119-118 loss against the Nets.
Fans reacted to the incident
Technical. Free throw and the ball. Cost them a W.
— SAQdaddy (@saqdaddy) January 20, 2022
Who cares when it happened? It’s inexcusable lol the ref is literally right there
— Mitch on the TL (@mdburner2) January 20, 2022
Wowwwwwww 🤡🤡🤡
— TopCincoGuapo (@guapo_top) January 20, 2022
Absolutely atrocious man https://t.co/JViZfCQs1j
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) January 20, 2022
@ShannonSharpe 😂😂 Unc what’s going on
— Dj Tutt (@Been1Hunnid) January 20, 2022
As expected, most NBA fans were confused and baffled that something like this went unnoticed. “This happened with like 5-7 minutes left in the game. Also Wizards we’re let free with a missed call right before this” wrote one fan, while another countered that this is inexcusable with the referee present.
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“Technical. Free throw and the ball. Cost them a W,” wrote another fan, while one user referred to it as the worst night of refereeing.
Kuzma did work hard to try and win, cutting the Nets’ lead down to one by the end. Bradley Beal scored team-high 23 points, while Kuzma chipped in with 16 points. Kyrie Irving had a game-high 30 points, helping the Nets to another win since his return.
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What are your views on the assistant coach deflecting the ball? Should the NBA make a call?