The Utah Jazz had to settle for a frustrating 117-115 defeat tonight against the Sacramento Kings. It appeared that time was not on their side. This Jazz star attempted to channel his inner Stephen Curry with an insane clutch move during the dying seconds of the game. He delivered on that count, but it was too late. The NBA world expressed their shock online, wondering how his efforts ended up being in vain.
Lauri Markkanen was seen visibly distressed moments after euphoria, assuming he had made a remarkable game-winning buzzer-beater. However, the clutch shot was later ruled out, giving the Kings the edge in the game. Fans online flooded social media platforms and questioned the judgment, “How didn’t it count?”
Fans question the ruling out of controversial shot
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With seconds to go and both teams tied up at 115, the stress was palpable between the two teams. The Kings player De’Aaron Fox helped his team take the lead with a bucket with nearly 0.4 seconds left.
Jarred Vanderbilt got the ball and hurled it to his Utah Jazz teammate Lauri Markannen, who drained a wild shot from the edge of the court as the game ended. Seconds later, the shot was waived off upon review. Both the crowd and the Jazz players were too stunned to speak. Fans online expressed their doubts over the decision after the game.
How didn’t it count I’m confused
— Red Hood (@hoobooboobue) January 4, 2023
Should have counted if Utah had been given the correct time on the clock. Not .4 seconds!! Kings scored the ball and it had already came out the net with .5seconds! Lauri shot should have counted pic.twitter.com/hwvmSjGzVq
— Gzg (@GeorgeGalantis) January 4, 2023
Fun fact: the ball was already through the hoop on the prev play at 0.6
— 🌶 (@UTSCCAOKNMOR) January 4, 2023
Should have counted.
— Jazz Fan (@utahjazzfan47) January 4, 2023
just count it because that’s too good of a shot
— Scepan (@Scepan_) January 4, 2023
this season has been weird as hell holy shit
— Chappie (optimistic steelers fan) (@my_chappie) January 4, 2023
Shoulda counted
— Osh (@itsoshh) January 4, 2023
While the team’s celebrations turned to bitter disappointment, the Sacramento Kings had the last laugh this time. Lauri finished the game with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist.
According to a report from CBS Sports, the NBA has been observing “these buzzer-beating shots with absolute precision yet pay almost no mind to whether the clock actually started at precisely the right moment”.
Stephen Curry, the league’s most clutch player
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Last October, the NBA named Stephen Curry as the league’s most clutch player. In an annual survey taken by the general managers, Curry was named as the go-to guy for clutch moments. NBC Sports reported that “Curry was named the player that executives would want taking a shot with the game on the line. He won the category in a landslide.” Curry got 55% of the votes, with Kevin Durant at 17% and Damian Lillard at 14%.
He also got many votes for other key metrics as well, including best point guard and best shooter. Curry has been consistently good and played exceptionally well under pressure over the past few seasons.
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His “night night” celebrations have been imitated by countless athletes to mark their clutch moments. Unfortunately, for the Jazz fans tonight, it may not be the right opportunity for such celebrations.