Officials Screw Mavericks on Brutal Blunder, Give Warriors Two Free Points
The Dallas Mavericks have filed an official protest of their 127-125 loss to the Golden State Warriors from Wednesday night. A mistake by referees essentially handed the Warriors two points, which wound up being the final margin of victory. According to Mavs owner Mark Cuban, the officials screwed up big time.
According to Cuban, with 1:54 left in the third quarter, the officials ruled the ball went out of bounds off a Warriors player and it would be Mavs ball. During a timeout, the officials changed the call but never told the Mavericks. The Warriors lined up, saw the Mavericks weren't in position and inbounded the ball quickly for a dunk.
Check it out:
Count it 😎
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 23, 2023
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/VibZ3CliZU
The Mavericks had lined up on the other end of the court, expecting to inbound it there.
Here's Cuban's full explanation:
For those wondering about the play with 1:54 to go on the 3rd, let me explain what happened. The ref called Mavs ball . The announcer announced it. Then there was a timeout . During the time out the official changed the call and never told us. Then when they saw us line up as…
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) March 23, 2023
The Mavs were obviously furious at the screw up and have protested the game.
The Dallas Mavericks plan to file to the NBA a formal protest of their 127-125 loss to the Golden State Warriors tonight, with focus on alleged referee mistake that led to two free Warriors points late in the third quarter, source tells @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 23, 2023
Nothing ever comes of these protests, but the NBA will likely have to admit the officials screwed up.