Several fans were furious over the officiating late in Tuesday’s NBA Play-In Tournament game between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies.
The Warriors outlasted the Grizzlies in a 121-116 barn burner inside Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif. The game featured several clutch shots down the stretch. But it also had arguably as many controversial calls that altered the game throughout the fourth quarter.
The Grizzlies clawed their way out of a 20-point hole in the first half to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. But Memphis’ momentum was stunted by some questionable calls against Zach Edey and Scotty Pippen Jr.
Edey picked up his fifth foul with 9:26 left in the fourth quarter over a very light bump on Warriors swingman Moses Moody. The Grizzlies tried to challenge the ruling but were unsuccessful.
Edey called for his 5th foul here. Memphis challenged the call but it was upheld. pic.twitter.com/zUMt6MQqDG
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) April 16, 2025
Less than two minutes later, Pippen was called for what appeared to be a phantom shooting foul against Warriors star Jimmy Butler.
Pippen Jr called for a foul here to Jimmy Butler.. pic.twitter.com/X0cJs8TcRt
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) April 16, 2025
Things later evened out as the Grizzlies benefitted from a couple of questionable calls in the final minute of play. With Golden State nursing a 117-113 lead, Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski was called for an iffy foul while trying to block a Pippen layup in transition. Pippen split the pair of free throws.
THIS WAS A CLEAN BLOCK BY BRANDIN PODZIEMSKI pic.twitter.com/nj6c30Xw00
— HOOPS HIGHLIGHTS 🎥 (@_HoopsNation) April 16, 2025
Steph Curry missed a potential dagger on the ensuing possession. During the battle for the rebound, Warriors center Kevon Looney was whistled for a loose ball foul that had several fans scratching their heads.
Refs called this a foul on Looney and gave the ball to the Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/1I6ENfRXVI
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) April 16, 2025
The late-game calls were brutal, especially considering the elevated stakes during the play-in tournament. But at least the poor officiating seemed to go both ways in the Warriors’ 5-point win.
Tuesday was not a good night for NBA officials. Just hours prior, Trae Young got ejected for disrespecting the referees handling the Atlanta Hawks-Orlando Magic play-in game.
