Watch: Mavericks robbed of potential win vs. Pelicans with missed goaltending call

Except the replay clearly showed the ball hit the backboard before Murphy touched it, making it goaltending.

If the correct call had been made on the court, the Mavericks (22-19, eighth in the Western Conference) would have had a one-point lead with 1.5 seconds left.

Dallas used its challenge earlier in the quarter, so head coach Jason Kidd couldn't request a review.

While NBA rules state goaltending is reviewable, since referees failed to whistle the play dead at the time for potential goaltending, they couldn't review it.

Per Officials.NBA.com, "Instant replay will be triggered in the following situations..."

"Officials are not reasonably certain whether a goaltending or basket interference violation was called correctly during the last two minutes of the fourth period or last two minutes of any overtime period(s). (Section I-a(13))."

The league only automatically challenges from its replay center under two circumstances: when it's unclear whether a shooter makes a two or three-point field goal or if a field goal was made before the shot clock or play clock expires.

While the last thing anyone wants is referees extending the ends of games even more, something like a missed goaltending could be included in an expedited review process.

Plus, getting the correct call is a small sacrifice to ensure games aren't marred by officiating errors.

The NBA will acknowledge the mistake in its two-minute report, which does the Mavericks no good. When (or if) they attempt to protest the result — like they did following a 2023 loss to the Warriors — the league will likely shrug off the request.

While one game might not seem significant in an 82-game schedule, it could make the difference from being the sixth instead of the seventh seed and avoiding the play-in tournament.

Last season, for example, one game separated the Mavericks, Suns and Pelicans for fifth through seventh in the final standings, and New Orleans was forced into the play-in round.

Dallas was without guard Kyrie Irving (back) and center Dereck Lively II (sprained right ankle), while guard Luka Doncic (left calf strain) missed his 11th consecutive game.

It nearly overcame those injuries against the suddenly hot Pelicans, who have as many wins in January (five) as they had from October-December (five).

As tough as the Mavericks fought, they were no match for the referees.