NBA upholds call on Terrence Ross’s final play in Raptors-Kings game

NEW YORK – The NBA upheld a controversial decision from the Toronto Raptors’ 102-99 loss to the Kings in Sacramento on Sunday night.

Raptors guard Terrence Ross hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the fourth quarter, seemingly tying the game and forcing it to overtime. However, officials ruled that the play clock was started late due to an equipment malfunction.

“After review at the league office, we have concluded that the end of the game was officiated correctly by NBA rules,” said Byron Spruell, president of league operations in a statement on Monday.

The statement went on to explain the NBA’s reasoning in detail.

“Toronto inbounded the ball with 2.4 seconds remaining in the game, and the clock did not start when the pass was deflected by Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins. Per the NBA’s precision timing system, the clock can be started by either the referees or the clock operator. The referees noticed the clock malfunction immediately which triggered a replay review. (…)

“To determine how much time actually expired, Replay Center referee Zach Zarba used a digital timer on the Replay Center screen. The determination was that 2.5 seconds expired, thus negating the basket.”

League officials also reviewed the final Kings possession to insure that there really were 2.4 seconds remaining in the game before Ross’s shot.

“We also reviewed the question surrounding the time left on the clock for Sacramento’s final possession. That possession started with 26.4 seconds remaining on the game clock since that is when Cousins secured possession of the rebound after a missed free throw. The subsequent shot clock violation on the Kings’ possession therefore left 2.4 seconds remaining in the game.”