The Milwaukee Bucks’ controversial 97-95 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder may result in a much-needed change to the league’s replay rules.
In its Last Two Minute Report on Saturday, the NBA acknowledged that Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped on the baseline before his game-winning dunk over Russell Westbrook on Friday night. Though it was clear to most viewers the All-Star forward had stepped out of bounds, the referees missed it, so it was therefore unreviewable, per league rules.
The competition committee will look at a number of solutions to such a situation, [League spokesman Tim] Frank said. If any change is made, it would not be implemented until the 2018-19 season. It is also possible no changes will be made.
“In any reviewable matter, there has to be a whistle called on the floor,” head official Derrick Stafford told reporters Friday. “There was no whistle blown for the play, so we couldn't review it.”
According to ESPN, the NBA’s competition committee will address the criteria for play reviews at its next meeting in March.
