It looked like Lauri Markkanen was headed to the free throw line to try and force a third overtime — with :0.2 left in the game, Markkanen took a corner 3 to tie and Kevin Durant was whistled for the foul. Frank Vogel challenged the call and the replay referees in Secaucus agreed — no foul, and the Suns win.
Look at the play and decide for yourself.
KEVIN DURANT FOULS LAURI MARKKANEN ON THE GAME-TYING 3-POINTER 🤯
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 20, 2023
Good call or bad call? pic.twitter.com/tQ41xPa4hf
From that angle, replay got it right. As you might imagine, that’s not how the Jazz saw it. When asked postgame about the call, Utah coach Will Hardy said that Christmas is coming up and he would like to keep his money rather than get fined. Utah’s argument, in part, is that Markkanen was falling out of bounds because Durant used his off arm down low to push him out of position and foul him. Referee Zach Zarba said the officials did not see it that way upon review.
“In our opinion, there was clear and conclusive evidence that Durant made legal contact to the basketball blocking the shot first. That’s why the challenge was ruled successful.”
Here is what Durant and Markkanen said of the play postgame, via the fantastic Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune.
Durant: “It was ridiculous to even call that. I knew I blocked the shot and I knew I didn’t touch him at all. But that’s just how the game is. It was a quick play for her, so I’m sure she wanted to review it and get the right call. I’m glad they were able to call to Secaucus and get it right.”
Markkanen: “I thought [it was a foul] the whole time. I’m getting ready to shoot three free throws but, I guess not. I think he got the ball, but he hit my left arm, which I thought they called foul. Then I saw the replay, and I didn’t even know if they’re looking at body contact, or I started looking to see if I was inbounds in general. I mean, that’s the decision they made, I have nothing for it. But it’s obviously annoying to lose a game like that.”
The ending was just the cherry on top of one of the most entertaining games of the season, one where Collin Sexton forced 2OT
. @CollinSexton02 at the buzzer 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/OKhqxL43t1
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 20, 2023
Markkanen had maybe his best game of the season scoring 38.
A team-high 𝟯𝟴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 and 𝟭𝟳 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 for The Finnisher ❄️#PlayerHighlights | @zionsbank pic.twitter.com/KaDLHM0ZYS
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 20, 2023
Durant was Durant with 39-10-8 in the Suns’ third straight win — it’s not a coincidence they look better since Devin Booker’s return to run the point.
KD was a BUCKET MACHINE in the Suns' double overtime win over the Jazz ☀️
— NBA (@NBA) November 20, 2023
🔥 39 PTS
🔥 10 AST
🔥 8 REB
🔥 4 3PM pic.twitter.com/YlXWtSXikP
