Monday night’s game between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers led to league-wide questioning of the referees. On an inbounds play, 76ers fans and players believe Tyrese Maxey was fouled and that is why he lost the ball, but the refs let the players play and the 76ers are now down 0-2 in the series. While this is the most recent example of a referee calls being controversial, it might not even crack the top-20 list in NBA history.
1. Tim Donaghy’s Game-Fixing Benefits The Lakers Over The Kings
In game six of the 2002 NBA Finals, the Sacramento Kings were on the verge of making history, needing just one more win to secure their first-ever championship title. Led by All-Star power forward Chris Webber, the Kings played at an exceptional level, showcasing a quality of basketball previously unseen in the city. However, the officiating during this game remains one of the most controversial and disputed in NBA history.
Playing on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Kings had four legitimate blocks called as fouls, which resulted in the Lakers gaining eight points. Additionally, Sacramento was penalized with three offensive fouls, all of which appeared to be clear blocking fouls committed by the Lakers—two by Kobe Bryant and one by Shaquille O’Neal.
The most shocking play involved Kobe Bryant who attempted a mid-range jumper but struck Mike Bibby in the face with his elbow. Despite an assistant referee having a clear view of the incident, a foul was called against Bibby. Bryant converted the subsequent free throw, sealing the game for the Lakers.
Former referee Tim Donaghy later claimed that Dick Bavetta and Bob Delaney, the officials for this game, had manipulated the outcome. Both the officials and the NBA denied these allegations, but there is no smoke without fire.
2. Scottie Pippen’s Legacy Altered By A Bad Call
In 1994, the Chicago Bulls were without their star player, Michael Jordan, who was on a year-long hiatus pursuing a baseball career. The team was led by Scottie Pippen, who had always played a supporting role to Jordan’s brilliance. Pippen took on the role of leader during the 1994 NBA Finals. However, referee Hue Hollins’ controversial call in the crucial moments of the game tarnished Pippen’s performance.
With just three seconds remaining, the Bulls were on the brink of securing a spot in the NBA Finals. The New York Knicks needed a three-pointer to win the game and push the series to a decisive seventh game. Hubert Davis launched a three-pointer from a challenging distance, which Pippen tried to block. Despite his effort, Pippen missed touching Davis, who subsequently missed the shot.
Hollins then called a foul on Pippen, awarding Davis three free throws. This pivotal decision ultimately dashed the Bulls’ hopes of a potential historic NBA Championship and prevented Pippen from solidifying his status as potentially a top-20 player ever instead of being known as the GOAT’s sidekick.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Gets A Phantom Foul Call
In Game 6 of the 1988 NBA Finals, the Pistons held a narrow 102-101 lead over the Lakers. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar received a pass from Byron Scott in the post and attempted his signature skyhook. The shot missed, but a foul was unexpectedly called on Bill Laimbeer, resulting in his sixth foul and disqualifying him from the game.
With 14 seconds remaining, Kareem made both free throws, putting the Lakers in the lead. The Pistons failed to get a shot off in the final seconds, and the Lakers forced a Game Seven. Ultimately, the Lakers won Game Seven and clinched the NBA championship, despite what many consider to be one of the worst calls in NBA Finals history. This controversial call deprived the Pistons of a potential three-peat, as they went on to win the championship in both 1989 and 1990.
4. Boston Celtics’ Benefiting From Referees In the NBA Finals
The 2008 NBA Finals were very hotly contested, because we witnessed the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers battle each other with superstars on both sides. However, the Celtics greatly benefitted from the refs in Game 2 and there are simply too many to just name one. Had the referees called a cleaner (and more fair) game, it is unlikely the Lakers would have been down 0-2 to start the series.
While it is never recommended to simply look at free-throw discrepancies, this game was very unusual. Boston was awarded 38 free throws, compared to just 10 for the Lakers. Off the bench, Leon Powe alone had 10 free throw attempts, matching the Lakers’ team total, raising concerns about the impartiality of the officiating crew. The Celtics ultimately went on to win their first NBA championship since 1986, defeating the Lakers in six games.
5. Kevin McHale Wins The Game…But The Refs Say No
As the 1980s drew to a close, the Boston Celtics, once one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history, were nearing the end of their dominant era. In 1991, the Celtics found themselves in a fierce playoff battle with the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons. Despite the lack of video evidence, the controversial call is widely acknowledged.
With the score tied at 103 and less than a minute remaining in Game 6 of the 1991 Eastern Conference semi-finals, Boston’s Reggie Lewis attempted a shot on a drive to the basket. The ball bounced off the rim and into the air. Kevin McHale then tipped it in, seemingly giving the Celtics the lead late in the game. However, the referee blew the whistle as the ball went through the hoop, calling an offensive interference foul on McHale.
As a result of the call, the Celtics suffered an overtime loss, 116-111, to the Pistons, who went on to face the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. This marked the end of the road for the Celtics dynasty. Both Kevin McHale and Larry Bird would retire by the end of 1993.
6. Dwyane Wade Given The Chance To Win His First Championship In Game 6
Dwyane Wade had one of the most iconic series in NBA history in 2006 when he posted 34.7 points per game to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. However, it did not come without controversy. The shooting guard was given 97 free throws alone through six games, an incredibly high number. In Game 6, specifically, Wade received a ton of calls that were not supposed to be given by most accounts.
He constantly was driving to the rim, to his credit, but the number of calls he was given far outweighs what the defenders tried to do to stop him. Video evidence shows that Wade might have benefitted from “star treatment”, and while we will never truly know, it does lead one to wonder how different refs might have seen the game.
7. Joey Crawford Fouls Damon Jones and Gives The Heat The Benefit
In a game where the Miami Heat were attempting a late-game comeback against the Detroit Pistons, they received an unexpected assist from referee Joey Crawford. Crawford appeared to insert himself into the play, making contact with Damon Jones and subsequently calling a foul on Chauncey Billups.
Crawford probably wanted to extend the game and give Miami a chance to make the game more interesting, or perhaps he wanted to make up for the fact he entered the play and called a foul to take the eyes off him. Unfortunately for him, we caught it on tape.
8. A Blatant Hip Check By Robert Horry
Until today, not a single soul can defend what referees were thinking when Robert Horry blatantly hip-checked Steve Nash into oblivion. The Spurs and Suns series were always contentious, but the Spurs greatly benefitted from Horry’s action as they went on to win the championship at the end of the year. However, let’s go through what happened.
The Phoenix Suns were leading, tensions escalated when Robert Horry deliberately used his body to drive Suns’ point guard and MVP, Steve Nash, into the scorer’s table, resulting in a forceful collision between Nash’s body and the table. Horry wasn’t fined or suspended, but instead, both Boris Diaw and Amar’e Stoudemire were ejected from the game and suspended for Game 5.
9. Larry Johnson’s Shocking Four-Point Play
The Knicks have benefited from some questionable calls in their playoff history, specifically in Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers. With the Knicks trailing by three with just 5.7 seconds remaining, Larry Johnson received the ball on the perimeter and launched a potential game-tying three-pointer.
As the shot went in and Madison Square Garden erupted, a foul was called on Antonio Davis, giving Johnson a chance for a four-point play. However, replays clearly showed that Davis, nor any other Pacers player, made contact with Johnson during the shot. The controversial call allowed the Knicks to secure the victory and advance to the NBA Finals as the Eastern Conference champions but lost in the Finals to the Spurs. Karma? Perhaps.
10. Houston Rockets Robbed Against Golden State
In 2019, the Rockets and Warriors teams clashed in the second round of the playoffs in what promised to be an intense series. However, Game 1 was marred by questionable officiating, especially in crunch time. The Rockets trailed by three with just 10 seconds left on the clock. James Harden attempted one of his signature step-back three-pointers, and there was clear contact from Warriors forward Draymond Green. Surprisingly, no foul was called.
Chris Paul grabbed the offensive rebound and tried to get back to the three-point line, but was knocked over by Klay Thompson in the process. Both Paul and Harden were incensed by the no-calls, with Paul eventually getting ejected from the game. The Warriors managed to hold on for the victory and ultimately won the series in six games.
11. The Rule Is Changed Now, But Zaza Pachulia Ended Kawhi Leonard In San Antonio
Kawhi Leonard was on a path to becoming one of the greatest players in San Antonio Spurs history, potentially rivaling the likes of Tony Parker, David Robinson, and Manu Ginobili in that sense. However, Leonard was badly fouled by Zaza Pachulia and nothing really happened until a rule change was placed to prevent this from happening. Still, this has not benefitted the Spurs organization.
As Leonard attempted a three-pointer, he landed awkwardly on Zaza Pachulia’s foot, aggravating an ankle injury he had sustained earlier in the game. However, Pachulia may have intentionally extended his foot to injure Leonard, but no foul was called by the referees.
Leonard was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of Game 1 and did not return for the rest of the series which meant the Spurs were swept and this controversy eventually caused a major stir between the superstar player and the organization.
12. Paul George Is Fouled On A Clutch Shot But A No-Call Sends Him Home
Paul George’s legacy could have taken a different turn in the 2018 season, specifically in the playoffs. George was a perennial MVP candidate with the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing third in voting behind eventual winner James Harden. But in the first round of the playoffs, George and the Thunder found themselves trailing 3-2 in a series against the Utah Jazz. With the Thunder down 94-91 late in the game, it was clear that the ball would be in George’s hands for a potential game-tying three-pointer.
As George rose to attempt the shot with Rudy Gobert defending him, the ball fell well short of the basket, and the Jazz went on to win the game and the series. However, it was fully obvious that Gobert made significant contact with George during the shot. Rather than being awarded three free throws, George and the Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs.
Related: Every NBA Finals MVP’s Combined Stats Over The Last 40 Seasons
13. Kevin Durant’s Benefits From A Controversial Foul On LeBron James
Beyond J.R. Smith’s blunder in the 2018 Finals, there was another major controversial decision made and it was by the referees. Trailing 104-102, Kevin Durant of the Warriors drove to the basket with approximately 30 seconds remaining. After colliding with LeBron James, the referees initially called a charge on Durant but the call was reversed, with a blocking foul assessed to James following a replay review.
Durant subsequently tied the game with a pair of free throws. However, the decision to overturn the call was deemed non-reviewable, raising questions about the referees’ decision-making that evening. The Cavaliers, instead of potentially stealing a game at Oracle Arena, went on to lose Game 1 and were eventually swept.
14. A Surprising Flagrant Foul On Metta World Peace
In the 2012 playoffs with the Lakers, World Peace made an impressive defensive play to stop a fast-break layup by cleanly blocking the ball. However, due to his size and strength advantage over Thabo Sefolosha, the Thunder guard ended up crashing to the ground despite the move being a normal foul.
Even the commentator claimed it was a good foul, but the refs thought it was too aggressive…for whatever reason. After the controversial call, World Peace expressed his frustration with some less-than-peaceful language, earning himself an additional technical foul. Kobe Bryant also received a technical during the ensuing commotion. The Thunder capitalized on the momentum and went on to win the game, eliminating the Lakers from the playoffs in the second round for the second consecutive year.
15. Dion Waiters Gets Away With An Obvious Inbound Foul
In the 2016 Western Conference Second Round, the San Antonio Spurs faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In Game 2, with just 13.5 seconds remaining on the clock and the Thunder inbounding from the sideline, Dion Waiters, the inbounder, clearly elbowed Manu Ginobili in the chest to create space for the pass.
Despite the blatant and somewhat aggressive nature of the elbow, the referees did not call a foul. The Thunder went on to win a closely contested game, 98-97. Had the foul been properly assessed, the Spurs would have had a legitimate chance to win the game. Instead, the Thunder secured the victory and ultimately won the series in six games, advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
16. Kevin Durant Flies Out Of Bounds But The Refs Ignore It
In a nationally televised game between the Warriors and Rockets, the former benefitted from a no-call. With the game tied at 132 in overtime and the Warriors in possession, Kevin Durant received the inbounds pass. As he drove to the basket, the ball was knocked away, bouncing off several players’ fingertips. Durant then chased down the loose ball and threw it back into play when it was obvious he was out of bounds.
Upon reviewing instant replays, it was evident that Durant had taken three full steps out of bounds and was essentially lying on the baseline when he touched the ball to save it. Despite the missed call, the ball ended up in Stephen Curry’s hands, who hit a go-ahead jumper to give the Warriors the lead. However, James Harden and the Rockets managed to secure the victory when Harden nailed a last-second game-winning three-pointer. Talk about bailing out the referees.
17. Steve Nash Fouled By A Player 15 Feet Away
This has to be one of the most confusing decisions in NBA history because it doesn’t make any sense. Midway through the third quarter of a tight game, referee Crawford made a puzzling call, citing the Blazers’ Marcus Camby for a foul on Steve Nash. Camby and Nash were nowhere near each other, standing over 10 feet apart, and Nash was not even touched during the play.
Nash, initially heading back down the court, was then directed by Crawford to take free throws due to the supposed foul by Camby. Crawford has a history of making some very confusing calls but this one is as egregious as it is hilarious when looking back at it.
18. Rajon Rondo Flagrant Foul Called A Normal Foul
The 2009 NBA playoffs showcased some of the most intense competition in recent history. In a first-round Eastern Conference matchup, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Chicago Bulls in a hard-fought contest. With the Bulls trailing by two and just over two seconds remaining on the clock, Bulls center Brad Miller received a pass with a clear path to the basket. As he went up for the shot, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo struck him across the face, resulting in a foul and sending Miller to the free-throw line for two shots.
While a foul was called, the Bulls would not only have been awarded the free throws but also possession of the ball due to a blatant flagrant foul. The missed flagrant foul call allowed the game to proceed to overtime, where the Celtics ultimately secured the victory, essentially sealing the series.
19. Tim Duncan Ejected For Laughing
This refereeing decision did not have a major impact on a player’s legacy when comparing it to other instances mentioned above, but this has to be mentioned. Joe Crawford should remind you of that teacher who is paranoid and picks on students for simply being. That is what happened to Tim Duncan, who was seen laughing on the bench as players do occasionally. For whatever reason, Crawford felt Duncan was undermining his authority and was simply bothered by the power forward. Getting ejected by laughing on the bench should never be seen in the NBA, but it happened.
20. Terrence Ross Robbed For No Reason
Even if the clock started when Cousins tipped it, T Ross 3 still should've counted. (@theScore)
— Raptors Nation (@RaptorsNationTO) November 21, 2016
On November 21, 2016, Terrence Ross stunned the Sacramento fans with a last-second three-pointer to force overtime. However, after a review by the officials at the replay center, it was determined that Cousins had tipped the ball.
This meant that the game clock should have started when the Sacramento center touched the ball, not when Ross gained possession. Essentially, the buzzer should have gone off before Ross released his shot but still, his incredible shot should have counted.
Related: The Biggest NBA Playoff Upset In Each Season Since 2000
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