“Can Refs Get Fined?”: Ayesha Curry’s Viral Outcry Gets Digged Up by Fans After Pacers & Nuggets Face Injustice

With all the added attention the Conference Semifinals are getting right now, they’re also getting the same amount of criticism from fans worldwide. One of the primary reasons for the criticism, you ask? It’s the officiating that’s making the rounds over foul calls. The same was seen during today’s matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks, and from another game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets. These incidents have caused fans to go through social media archives and dig out a few old tweets that could reflect on the current situation. Fortunately, they could find one written out by Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s wife, Ayesha.

Back in 2016, Ayesha had put out a statement on X, asking whether referees can become subject to fines. This action was taken by the NBA player’s significant half in the aftermath of the Game 5 Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The game had ended with the Cavaliers winning by a score of 112-97, as then star players LeBron James and Kyrie Irving led the scoring effort with their combined 82.

The tweet was highlighted after certain decisions were made in the recent Pacers-Knicks clash. During the final 52 seconds, as both franchises were tied at 115, Aaron Nesmith successfully knocked away a pass that Jalen Brunson was making to Donte DiVincenzo. However, referee Sean Wright called the action a ‘kicked ball violation’ by insinuating that Nesmith hit the ball with his foot. As a result, the Knicks kept the possession and went ahead to take the scoring lead. Another incident occurred during the final 12 seconds, when Myles Turner was fouled after it looked like he knocked Donte DiVincenzo to the ground. The decision was upheld even after the Pacers challenged the decision. Both these incidents played a major role in the Pacers’ 4-point loss.

Even the referees would later go on to admit that they incorrectly called the ‘kicked ball violation’. According to rules, the Pacer unfortunately couldn’t have challenged the play.

As for the Denver Nuggets, the roster wasn’t happy when Karl-Anthony Towns wasn’t punished for colliding with Jamal Murray. The situation got so heated that head coach Michael Malone descended onto the court and proceeded to shout at the referee. The incident could have escalated even further if Malone hadn’t been separated by his players.

Rick Carlisle on the Pacers-Knicks clash: “We’re not expecting to get calls in here”

Michael Malone wasn’t the only frustrated individual, as Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was also unhappy with how things had turned out. Unlike Malone, however, the latter chose to express his feelings in a calmer manner. He took the stage during the recent post-game press conference and addresses the officiating during Game 1.

“I don’t want to talk about the officiating,” said Carlisle. “We’re not expecting to get calls in here. It’d be nice if they laid off that one, but they didn’t. So, that’s just the way it goes.”

The initial expectations going into the Semifinals series was to see some of the best NBA teams put their best foot forward and see who is the best. The main story, however, has now become the referees’ officiating. It remains to be seen whether the same will continue during the upcoming games as well.