Jan 15, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson looks down after loosing the ball later in the fourth quarter to the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

NBA Admits Major Mistakes in Mavericks-Pelicans

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Joey Linn | Last updated Jan 16, 2025 6:33 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Pelicans game on Wednesday night included arguably the biggest missed call of the NBA season. Missing a clear goaltending violation that would have put Dallas ahead with just a few seconds remaining, the officiating crew received a hash message from Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd after the game.

Kidd: “They didn’t see it. That’s the explanation. They didn’t see it… They didn’t do their job tonight…The league wants to get it right, the referees have a tough job, they clearly did not get that one right. It cost us the game… Hopefully the referees can be better in close games… No one saw the goal tend but everybody was there.”

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd on the missed goaltending call:

“They didn’t see it. That’s the explanation. They didn’t see it…They didn’t do their job tonight…The league wants to get it right, the referees have a tough job, they clearly did not get that one right. It cost… pic.twitter.com/YOtumFafLu
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) January 16, 2025

The NBA has since admitted via its Last Two Minute Report that the blown goaltending violation was just one of two big missed calls in the final two minutes.

With 1:07 remaining, Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray should have been called for a loose ball foul.

"Murray (NOP) extends his off-arm into Gafford's (DAL) head/face during the rebound," the NBA wrote.