NBA Confirms Missed Goaltending in Mavericks’ Controversial Loss to Pelicans
The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report confirmed a missed goaltending call on Trey Murphy III's block, costing the Mavericks in their 119-116 loss to the Pelicans.
NEW ORLEANS — The NBA’s Last 2 Minute Report revealed referees missed a critical goaltending call late in the Dallas Mavericks’ 119-116 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. The Mavs elected not to file a protest game to the league office formally.
The ruling confirmed what Mavericks players and coaches argued in the game’s aftermath, leaving Dallas frustrated with how the contest concluded.
Trailing by one point with 15 seconds left, Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie drove to the basket for a layup attempt that Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III blocked. Replays showed the ball had already hit the backboard, a violation that would have given Dallas a late lead. The no-call stood, and Murphy secured the rebound before sinking two free throws to seal the win.
“I thought it was goaltending,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “Unfortunately, the three referees did not see that, so it was not goaltending. The league wants to get it right. The referees have a tough job, but they clearly did not get that one right, and it cost us maybe the game.”
Dinwiddie, who finished with 20 points, expressed frustration about the missed call, referencing how his approach using a scoop finish is primarily intended to get the ball on the glass to avoid a shot blocker from being able to get a hand on it.
“Obviously, everybody's been sending me tweets and replays and all that. I think the refs have a hard enough job as it is,” Dinwiddie said. “In a perfect world, if you're not sure about a call, you probably just make it. But when you look back, it’s pretty clear that was a goaltend. I put the ball on the glass for a reason—it’s one of the moves I’ve made a career off of. If it’s already hit the glass, you can’t block it, simple as that. That’s why it’s frustrating because those are the plays that can swing a game like this.”
The Mavericks battled back from a 12-point deficit in the first half behind Daniel Gafford’s strong interior presence and timely scoring from Jaden Hardy. Gafford tallied 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Hardy added 21 points. P.J. Washington also posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Dallas led 91-87 entering the fourth quarter after a strong third quarter sparked by Dinwiddie’s 10 points. However, New Orleans rallied in the final frame behind Dejounte Murray, who scored 13 of his season-high 30 points in the last six minutes.
“That’s just who he is, who he’s been over the course of the last five to seven seasons,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “He’s mentally tough. He’s a leader.”
Murphy contributed 24 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. He also delivered the game’s decisive play with his block on Dinwiddie’s layup.
“Big time on his part,” Green said. “Big time play to track it down and to go after it, and then make the free throws at the end.”
Washington echoed the team’s disappointment with the missed call but admitted Dallas could have avoided the situation altogether.
“A goaltend, but it obviously wasn’t called,” Washington said. “I think we could have executed down the stretch a little bit better and got some stops to not put ourselves in that position, but it was definitely a goaltending.”
The Pelicans avenged a 132-91 blowout loss to Dallas earlier in the season and showed resilience despite missing Zion Williamson, who sat out on the second night of a back-to-back. The win snapped a one-game skid for New Orleans and was their third victory in the last four games.
The Mavericks, who have now lost three straight and eight of their last 10, will look to regroup when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. Dinwiddie stressed the importance of moving forward.
“We compete every night, and we’re still above .500,” Dinwiddie said. “We’re not making any excuses. We’re using a next-man-up mentality and focusing on our day-to-day preparation, practice, and the games ahead. We’re trying to win each game as it comes, but of course, we’re also looking to return to full strength. We know what we’re capable of when everyone’s healthy, so it’s about staying the course and controlling what we can control in the meantime.”
For now, the sting of Wednesday’s controversy lingers as the Mavericks, who fell to 22-19 on the season, continue to fight for position in the tightly packed Western Conference standings.
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