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NBA admits big mistakes in overtime game between Clippers and Suns

NBA admits big mistakes in overtime game between Clippers and Suns

The LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns played an overtime thriller in the first NBA game of the regular season at the Intuit Dome. Phoenix showed better performance as the game progressed and secured a 116:113 win in the season opener.

James Harden led all scorers with 29 points, and his former teammate Kevin Durant wasn’t far behind with 25 points. The two future Hall of Famers went head-to-head in regulation and overtime, but it was Durant and the Suns who were able to secure the win.

The NBA released its last-two-minute report for this game, which includes some big missed calls.

Devin Booker and Ivica Zubac

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is defended by LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) at the Intuit Dome. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The first missed call on the Last Two Minute Report came with 1:27 left in regulation when Devin Booker was called for a personal foul on Ivica Zubac. According to the NBA, this decision was wrong.

“Booker (PHX) briefly comes into contact with Zubac (LAC) in the post, but the contact is marginal and has no impact on Zubac’s ability to set post position or receive the pass,” the NBA wrote.

This was a big miss as it was Booker’s sixth foul. Disqualified for this poor decision, Booker watched the final 1:27 of regulation time and the entirety of overtime from the bench.

The next missed call on the Last Two Minute Report came with 1:53 left in overtime when Derrick Jones Jr. drove to the basket against Royce O’Neale. This play was not called, but the NBA admits that O’Neale fouled Jones.

“O’Neale (PHX) attempts to jump vertically but spins in the air and makes physical contact with Jones Jr. (LAC), impacting his slap shot attempt,” the NBA wrote.

This would have put Jones at the free throw line and the Clippers would be down 112-108.

The last missed call came with 1:01 left in overtime when Harden should have been called for a personal foul on Bradley Beal.

“Harden (LAC) gets in the way of Beal (PHX), causing him to lose balance and control of the ball,” the NBA wrote.

It was a very exciting game, but there were obviously some problems with the management at crucial moments.

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