The top 10 worst Referee Calls in NBA History

By Edcel Panganiban March 08, 2024 08:47 GMT+4 min read

The NBA, like any professional sports league, has seen its fair share of controversial referee calls over the years. From missed fouls to incorrect out-of-bounds rulings, these calls have sparked debate and often changed the course of games and even entire seasons. Here, we take a look at the top 10 worst referee calls in NBA history, examining the impact these calls had on the games and the legacies of the players and teams involved.

Tim Donaghy Scandal (2007)

The biggest black mark on NBA officiating came in 2007 when it was revealed that referee Tim Donaghy had been involved in gambling on games he officiated. This scandal rocked the league, calling into question the integrity of the officiating and casting a shadow over many games during Donaghy's tenure.

2002 Western Conference Finals

One of the most infamous referee calls in NBA history occurred during Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. The Kings, leading the series 3-2, were on the verge of a historic upset when a series of questionable foul calls and non-calls went against them, ultimately leading to a Lakers victory. Many fans and analysts believe that the officiating heavily favored the Lakers and robbed the Kings of a chance to advance to the NBA Finals.

2018 NBA Finals

In Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, a critical call was overturned after LeBron James was initially called for a charging foul. The officials reviewed the play and reversed the call to a blocking foul, sparking widespread debate over the use of replay reviews in critical moments of the game.

2013 NBA Finals

During Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs, a critical non-call occurred when Manu Ginobili attempted a game-tying three-point shot in the closing seconds. Replays showed clear contact on Ginobili's shooting arm, but the foul was not called, leading to a Spurs defeat and eventual Heat championship victory.

2007 NBA Playoffs

In a crucial game during the 2007 NBA Playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki was called for a phantom foul on a jump shot by the Golden State Warriors' Baron Davis. The controversial call had a significant impact on the game's outcome and raised questions about the consistency and accuracy of NBA officiating.

1994 NBA Finals

During Game 5 of the 1994 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks, Scottie Pippen was involved in a controversial foul call that led to his ejection from the game. The call was heavily criticized, and many believed it significantly affected the outcome of the series.

2009 NBA Playoffs

In a pivotal game during the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard made a blatant goaltending violation that went uncalled, ultimately impacting the outcome of the game and raising concerns about the officials' ability to make critical decisions under pressure.

2018 Western Conference Finals

During Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors, a crucial out-of-bounds call was missed by the officials, leading to a significant change in momentum and ultimately impacting the series' outcome.

1998 NBA Finals

In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan made a memorable game-winning shot, but it was overshadowed by controversy as many fans and analysts believed that Jordan pushed off Bryon Russell before taking the shot, a call that went uncalled and impacted the series' outcome.

2019 NBA Playoffs

During the 2019 NBA Playoffs, a critical missed foul call occurred when Damian Lillard hit a game-winning shot for the Portland Trail Blazers against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Replays showed clear contact on Lillard's release, raising questions about the officials' ability to make crucial calls in high-stakes moments.