NBA: League: Towns-Screen in front of Buzzerbeater illegal

In its last two-minute report, the League announced that two mistakes were made in the final stages between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves (113:115). Among other things, the screen of Karl-Anthony Towns in front of Andrew Wiggins’ Buzzerbeater was illegal.

Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau also tried to take a break five seconds before the end of the match after Carmelo Anthony’s three-way game. Thibs did not have a timeout available at that time. Referee Gary Zielinski was standing right next to the coach. However, it is unclear whether Thibs only made the sign for the time-out or whether he communicated it verbally.

The referees did not notice the desire for a time-out and the game continued. The right decision would have been a technical foul, free-throw and ball for the Thunder.

The game went on, however, and the next bad decision followed. Towns put an illegal screen at the level of the axis where Paul George got stuck. He stumbled over the slightly outstretched leg. Wiggins had a clear course and could sink the winner of the game for the Timberwolves.

The Thunders complained after the match, but showed themselves to be mild as in the PG-13 case,”The referees are only human beings and make mistakes. That’s part of the game. We should praise Wiggins for sinking this heavy litter instead.”