Warriors Fall Victim to Controversial Call Against Suns
The Golden State Warriors found themselves on the wrong side of a contentious foul call with just 0.4 seconds left, resulting in a narrow 99-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. The Last Two-Minute Report later confirmed the call was accurate, stating, “Although Moody (GSW) makes contact to the ball, he also makes more than marginal contact to Goodwin’s (PHX) head/neck area and to his arm.”
In the dying moments of the game, Dillon Brooks missed a three-pointer, which was rebounded by his teammate, Jordan Goodwin, near the block. As Moses Moody attempted to block Goodwin’s shot, head coach Steve Kerr expressed his disbelief at the call, noting that his staff, who reviewed the play, believed it was a clean block. “It’s hard to believe the game was decided on that call, you know, on an airball that hits the side of the backboard. Guys behind the bench told me that Moses got all ball. Everybody’s tangled up. To me, it better be a foul to decide the game on a play like that,” Kerr remarked.
The Case for Letting Play Unfold
Kerr’s sentiments echo a common theme among coaches and players: the notion that referees should allow more physicality in the closing seconds of games. While the league maintains that the call was technically correct, the Warriors have legitimate grounds for frustration, as similar situations often go uncalled. The inconsistency in officiating leaves teams wondering about the criteria used to make such pivotal decisions.
Another Controversial Foul on the Night
The night was marred by another contentious call during a different matchup. With the Sacramento Kings leading 133-132 in overtime, guard Russell Westbrook was whistled for a foul on Deni Avdija’s erratic running two-pointer as time expired. The Last Two Minute Report deemed this call correct as well. However, the legitimacy of the report itself comes into question: if it fails to provide an objective assessment, what value does it hold?
Warriors’ Lackluster Performance
Despite the controversial calls, the Warriors’ performance left much to be desired. They squandered a 14-point lead, allowing the Suns to rally and overcome them. The only reason the final seconds held significance was due to a questionable flagrant foul committed by Dillon Brooks, which gifted Golden State a chance at a game-tying five-point possession. They capitalized on this opportunity with two free throws from Stephen Curry and a three-pointer from Jimmy Butler.
The Last Two Minute Report confirmed the accuracy of the flagrant call, validating every decision made in those crucial moments. Ultimately, the Warriors displayed a lackluster performance, one that belied the expectations for a team eager to regain its footing. Instead of dwelling on the contentious officiating, the Warriors must redirect their focus towards adopting a more cohesive and inspired style of basketball in their upcoming games.
