The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans delivered a high-octane show on Tuesday night and both teams split. Ultimately, the game was played in high spirits and the two teams left it all on the floor. What could have been a rousing finish was marred by a controversial no-call on a potential goaltending. The fallout went beyond the loss for Jason Kidd and his depleted Mavericks. It was what might have been.

With only a few seconds remaining and the Mavericks behind, 117-116, Spencer Dinwiddie slashed to the basket and let fly with a layup that appeared guaranteed to score. The shot hit the glass, and Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III blocked it — a clear goaltend, as subsequent replays proved. But the referees allowed play to continue, and the Mavs and their fans kept rubbing their eyes. Murphy put the game away at the free-throw line for a 119-116 victory, which had Kidd making post-game comments that might cost him a pretty penny.

This loss, highlighted by the missed call, marked a frustrating first half of the season for the injury-plagued Mavericks. Their 22-19 record falls short of expectations for a team aspiring to contend in the loaded Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Pelicans, still near the bottom of the standings, pulled off a scrappy performance to secure their 10th win.

After the game, Jason Kidd didn’t mince words. “I think they [the refs] were scared to death to do anything, so they did nothing,” he said, referring to the no-call on Murphy’s block. While his frustration made sense, the league is likely to respond with a $25,000 fine for his comments—a standard punishment that escalates based on severity.

Dinwiddie shared that multiple people sent him videos of the play, all confirming what he and his teammates already believed. Yet, the Mavericks left the court without justice, with Kidd’s fiery remarks, serving as the final punctuation.

Jason Kidds Mavericks: An injury-plagued season; A controversial ending

For the Mavericks, this game marked a bittersweet milestone: the halfway point of their season. Without Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II, Dallas leaned on its bench to compete against a Pelicans squad missing Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

Daniel Gafford stepped up with 27 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his reliability when called for the task. Dinwiddie contributed 20 points, while Jaden Hardy added 21 off the bench. However, the absence of their star duo was evident, especially in clutch moments where Luka and Kyrie usually excel.

For Dallas, this game highlighted more than a missed opportunity—it emphasized how critical every decision is in the tightly contested Western Conference. Jason Kidd’s sharp critique has reignited debates about officiating standards, especially during high-stakes moments.

As the Mavericks prepare for their next game against Oklahoma City, one question looms: Will Kidd’s outburst serve as a rallying cry, or will this loss linger as a bitter what-if?

One thing remains certain—this wasn’t just another game. It left the Mavericks and their fans wondering how different the outcome might have been. If only the referees had blown the whistle. What do you think about this?