The referees in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors missed a blatant travel by Russell Westbrook in the final minute of the contest on Monday night.
The Thunder were up 105-102 with under 22 seconds remaining in the game, and Russell Westbrook was bringing the ball up the court. Feeling some pressure from Klay Thompson, Westbrook slammed on the brakes but seemed to skid and move his pivot foot, which would constitute a clear travel:
If a travel were called as it should have been, the Warriors would have been given the possession and a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer. Instead, Westbrook called a timeout, and he was fouled after play resumed. Russ made 1-of-2 free throws to make it 106-102 — and the two-possession margin was too great for the Warriors to overcome.
This missed call was about as bad as the one the refs missed in the Spurs-Warriors game two weeks ago.
