The Los Angeles Clippers’ 113-117 loss against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday brought more than just a scoring defeat. The match caused problems because officials missed key calls during the last quarter.  As the game clock wound down players blamed Natalie Sago for failing to see fouls on the court.

The key moments that left the Clippers fuming happened with under two minutes remaining in regulation. Despite the Clippers fighting hard to stay in the game, they felt they were denied obvious foul calls. Sago, positioned right near the action, didn’t blow the whistle on what many felt were clear violations.

This wasn’t a one-off. Throughout the game, the Clippers seemed to get the short end of the stick. The frustration boiled over after the non-calls. It was especially tough considering the game’s close nature and the Clippers’ struggle to close out on one of the NBA’s top teams.

Officiating Frustrations: A Growing Concern for the Clippers

This isn’t the first time that the Clippers have faced frustrations with officiating. Officiating debates have plagued many NBA teams throughout the season. It’s especially tough when close games come down to a few crucial calls that may not go in your favor. Even though some might argue Sago did a professional job overall, the timing of the missed calls sparked genuine frustration from the Clippers.

For the Clippers, this loss against the Celtics wasn’t just about poor calls. It was also a missed opportunity to get a much-needed win. They were without their star player, Kawhi Leonard. They were hoping to capitalize on a matchup against one of the league’s elite teams. But the inconsistency of officiating left them shaking their heads in disbelief.

As for Sago, the backlash is understandable but won’t be easy to shake. While she can’t be blamed entirely for the loss, NBA referees are always under scrutiny. This is especially true when their calls impact tight games. Referees across the league will need to ensure more consistency, particularly during crucial stretches of close contests.

For the Los Angeles Clippers, they can’t let the frustration linger too long. They still have a long road ahead in their homestand. They need to focus on their own performance. If they want to bounce back, they’ll need to put aside the officiating debates. They need to work harder to control the game on the court.

The Clippers have every right to be upset with the officiating, but they must move forward. Missed calls can happen in any game. It’s important not to let frustration distract from the bigger picture. With games coming up, the Clippers need to keep their eyes on the prize. They must focus on how they can improve. They can’t let bad calls derail their momentum. As for the referees, there’s no doubt they’ll face even more scrutiny as the season goes on.