The NBA announced a rule change Tuesday afternoon, expanding what can change in the event of an out-of-bounds call during a review. According to ESPN Tim Bontemps“Instant replay of an out-of-bounds play may assist in determining whether a foul should have been called on the play,” and the NBA included a reference to Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the The Dallas Mavericks And The Minnesota Timberwolves.
This is our ball, isn’t it?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/lHkV8fdRIG
—MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) May 25, 2024
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In the final minute of the game, with the Timberwolves leading by 2 points, Jaden McDaniels lost control of a ball that went out of bounds. He was initially flagged Kyrie Irving SO Jason Kidd contested the call after some pleading from Irving.
The replay determined that the ball went to McDaniels last because Irving touched McDaniels’ arm and not the ball, so the Mavericks got the ball back. According to the NBA and Bontemps, this would now be considered a foul, which in certain situations late in the game could lead to free throws if a team is in the bonus. The Timberwolves were not in the bonus at the time, so it would have just been a normal foul with no shot.
Without this call, Luka Doncic hit his iconic match winner on Rudy Gobert 40 seconds later, the Mavs took a comfortable 2-0 lead in the series, having won both games in Minnesota. They could have gotten there anyway since Dallas missed the initial opportunity after the out-of-bounds call and Kyle Anderson missed a shot at the other end, which set up this shot.
LUKA, WINNING GOAL.
ABSOLUTE CINEMA.Mavs take 2-0 lead in Western Conference Finals series 🐴 pic.twitter.com/3eIVAByldy
— NBA (@NBA) May 25, 2024
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