Sunday’s Lakers-Celtics showdown had yet another viral missed call, once again captured on camera for the NBA world to see.
With roughly 7:30 left in the third quarter and having just blocked LeBron James, Celtics center Neemias Queta went up against Deandre Ayton, his right hand going through the basket while attempting to contest the shot. Moments after, an irate JJ Redick demanded an explanation from the officials, jumping up to fix the net while pleading his case—and receiving a technical foul as a result, only adding to the officiating woes.
Lakers Receive Explanation on Puzzling No-Call vs. Celtics
Redick’s Comments
Redick finally received that explanation during a Monday morning call with Monty McCutchen, the NBA’s Senior Vice President of Referee Training and Development. Relaying McCutchen’s explanation post-practice, Redick told reporters:
“Look, I talked with Monty this morning. Got some great explanations on stuff that I had questions on, and truthfully, he said it wasn’t a goaltend. You know, I don’t know if we want to endanger our guys’ fingers, but if I was Luke Kornet or Wemby [Victor Wembanyama], … every time somebody took a shot, I’d stick my hand up in the rim and just not jostle, it, because I think it’s an incredible deterrent. … It’s a new thing for me to learn. That’s the beauty of this job, you learn something new every day.”
“You’re allowed to stick your hand up into the rim on a shot … as long as the rim’s not pulled down, I guess,” he continued. “You can jostle the rim. That’s the explanation I got.”
What the Rule Book Says About Goaltending
Among the NBA’s rules on basket interference, a player shall not, “Touch the ball at any time with a hand which is through the basket ring” or “Touch the rim, net or ball while the ball is in the net, preventing it from clearing the basket.” The aforementioned footage clearly shows Queta’s hand going through the rim, but not altering the trajectory of the ball as Ayton’s jump hook misses off the right side.
While Redick is right to hold officials accountable and question the no-call—which has drawn just as much confusion among NBA fans—it’s also clear that two points does not erase the 22-point drubbing Boston handed LA. Nearly 24 hours after a rivalry loss, there’s simply no crying over spilled milk.
Onto the Next
The Lakers (34-22, 5th in West) will look to get back on track tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. PT, facing the 30-26 Orlando Magic, who are jostling for a guaranteed playoff spot while sitting in play-in territory. As of now, center Jaxson Hayes is day-to-day with a minor bruise in his right ankle that he sustained during Sunday’s loss.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
