After losing 108-107 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers seemed entitled to be furious with NBA officials.
Sixers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. was about to drive to Clippers star Paul George with seconds left in the game. Oubre tried to shoot past George but missed. George appeared to make contact with Oubre, but no foul was called.
Oubre was also seen abusing NBA officials after the no-call. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse had to be restrained by staff from getting in the officials’ faces.
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Sixers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. and head coach Nick Nurse argue with referee Kevin Scott after a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on March 27, 2024. . (Bill Streicher-USA Today Sports)
Apparently there is some truth to their argument.
Referee Kevin Scott said in his pool report that George made contact with Oubre on the final play.
“The staff interpreted that play in real time as a vertical jump by the defender,” Scott said. “However, a post-game video review observed that defender George drifted slightly to the left and a foul should have been called.”
Oubre was supposed to head to the foul line with 0.2 seconds left and a chance to win.
Draymond Green hits referee in the jaw and is ejected less than 4 minutes into the game
Sixers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. attempts a shot on Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George as time expires at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on March 27, 2024. (Bill Streicher-USA Today Sports)
“I looked at the computer screen a few times and thought there was definitely contact,” the nurse said. “Certainly as much as the last couple of times where I got called an and-1 on the other end. That’s it. I just thought it was a good enough call to call. But that’s the way it happens sometimes. ”
Oubre said he thought there was an imbalance in the calls. He also apologized for his confrontation with officials.
“In this moment of intense basketball games, of course we’re not perfect, the referees aren’t perfect,” he said. “I want to apologize for losing my cool, because that’s what I work on every day, trying to represent God in the best way I can. And that’s not all.”
The 76ers are in the midst of a playoff spot. The loss drops them to 39-34 overall, keeping them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and qualifying for the play-in tournament.
Sixers’ Nick Nurse reacts during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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Philadelphia is two games behind the Indiana Pacers in the win column.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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