NBA Refs On James Harden No-Call ‘We Missed This One’
Dec 18, 2018, 12:34 PM
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, Texas – Late in the fourth quarter of the Houston Rockets 102-97 win over the Utah Jazz, the officials missed a crucial call on star guard James Harden.
With 54.6 seconds left in the game, the Rockets held a 97-94 lead when Harden illegally took three steps back without dribbling the basketball to the three-point line where Rubio was whistled for a foul instead of a traveling violation on Harden.
The reigning MVP made two of the three free-throw attempts that put the Rockets lead to five. After the free-throws from Harden, Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three free-throws. If Harden was whistled for a travel rather than calling a foul on Rubio, the Jazz would have tied the game at 97.
The following morning, the NBA league office that gives analysis to questionable plays in NBA games, tweeted out what the call should’ve been. They agreed with every person who watched the play, it was a travel.
The offensive player gathers the ball while on his right foot. He then takes a step with his left foot (step 1) into a hop step, landing first with his right foot (step 2) and then illegally with his left (step 3). We missed this one – it is a traveling violation. https://t.co/BqMAoZHgIu
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) December 18, 2018
Following the tweet, the Utah Jazz Twitter account responded to the league’s feedback.
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 18, 2018
Mitchell also took to Twitter and responded to the Officials Twitter account by using a GIF.
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 18, 2018
Harden finished with 47 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals while shooting 14-of-31 from the field and 15-of-16 at the free throw line. Jazz players were interviewed after the game and were asked by the media about the no-call. Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune talked to Rubio and Rudy Gobert.
Ricky Rubio on the Harden stepback++:
Rubio: “You watch the play?”
Me: “Yeah.”
Rubio: “What do you think?”
Me: “I personally thought it was a travel.”
Rubio: “I’m not going to answer, but I think 100 percent of the people know the answer.”— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 18, 2018
Following Larsen’s tweet, ESPN NBA writer Tim MacMahon talked to Harden about the play and retweeted Larsen’s tweets with the quote.
James Harden: “What do you want me to say? Tell on myself?” https://t.co/XSdE77kijh
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 18, 2018
Mitchell finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds and Rudy Gobert added 18 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Jazz are now 14-17 on the season and will face the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet.
