NEW YORK (AP) – NBA referees say their missed foul on Oklahoma City’s Dion Waiters as he inbounded the ball was a play they had never seen before.
The referees union also said Tuesday on Twitter that they would incorporate the play into their training moving forward.
The play began a wild final sequence in the Thunder’s 98-97 victory over San Antonio on Monday in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. Waiters elbowed the Spurs’ Manu Ginobili to create space to throw the inbounds pass, which the Spurs stole to start a fast break. San Antonio couldn’t score, leaving the series tied at 1-1.
Referee Ken Mauer, the crew chief, said after the game that upon seeing a review of the play, there should have been an offensive foul on Waiters.
Game 3 is Friday in Oklahoma City.