NBA Admits Defeat and Won't Fine Damian Lillard for Calling Out Officials for Terrible Non-Call
By Michael Luciano
The NBA normally doesn't take kindly to players or coaches deciding to bad-mouth the officiating, but even Adam Silver is struggling to find fault in the Portland Trail Blazers' gripes with the officiating at the end of their loss to the Utah Jazz.
Damian Lillard's last-second layup attempt bounced of the backboard when Jazz center Rudy Gobert made contact with it, which should have given the Blazers two points and tied the game at 116-116. Instead, play continued on, and the Jazz won. Lillard torched the refs after the game, but he won't get any sort of fine from the league.
Yahoo Sources: Portland star Damian Lillard to avoid fine for postgame remarks following controversial missed goaltend in Utah and team livid with unnatural play by Royce O’Neale that resulted in Afernee Simons receiving a concussion. https://t.co/dIFAxDkKsZ pic.twitter.com/vXUz9cDZDz
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 9, 2020
Considering that Blazers guard Anfernee Simons picked up a concussion from some rough and tumble play from Royce O'Neale, Portland has some legit gripes with how this game was called.
Lillard's full thoughts on the no-call can be heard below, and anyone that doesn't live in Utah will acknowledge the Lillard is speaking the truth.
"It cost us the f****g game."
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 8, 2020
Every replay of one of the worst missed calls/goaltends in NBA history + Damian Lillard's postgame comments. pic.twitter.com/e6M6zCcuAb
Portland needs every single win they can get to stay in the playoff race, and losing out on one on the road against a tough Utah team due to some horrendous officiating is simply inexcusable.