Mavericks will protest two-point loss to the Warriors after Golden State score uncontested dunk

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban blasted NBA officials for a bizarre moment in a 127-125 loss to the Golden State Warriors, with the team set to file a formal protest.

According to multiple reports, the Mavs will be filing a protest after Golden State scored an uncontested basket late in the third quarter, which according to Cuban, resulted from confusion as to who had possession of the ball. 

‘For those wondering about the play with 1:54 to go on the 3rd, let me explain what happened,’ Cuban tweeted. 

‘The ref called Mavs ball. The announcer announced it. Then there was a timeout. During the time out the official changed the call and never told us. Then when they saw us line up as if it were our ball, he just gave the ball to the warriors. 

‘Never said a word to us They got an easy basketball. Crazy that it would matter in a 2 point game. Worst officiating non call mistake possibly in the history of the NBA . All they had to do was tell us and they didn’t.’

Mark Cuban couldn’t believe the Warriors were awarded an uncontested basket in the third qtr

Kevon Looney had an easy dunk on the inbounds play. The Mavericks thought they had the ball after official Andy Nagy pointed in Golden State’s direction for possession but then quickly pointed to the Dallas bench to indicate a timeout.

Looney protested when Nagy pointed toward the Dallas bench, but Nagy appeared to explain that he was signaling the timeout. The public address announcer also indicated Dallas was awarded possession.

After the break, the Mavericks lined up on their offensive end, giving Looney the easy dunk with no defenders around as the Warriors took a 90-87 lead

Crew chief Sean Wright disagreed with Cuban’s assessment of the pivotal moment. 

‘There is a second signal, but that signal is for a mandatory timeout that was due to the Mavs,’ Wright said, via the pool report.

Dallas coach Jason Kidd´s contention was that official Michael Smith must have thought the Mavericks had possession because he was on the same end of the floor as the Mavs.

‘There was quite a few people out of position,’ Kidd said postgame. ‘It´s correctable, but you first have to admit there was a mistake.’

The victory for Golden State was crucial on the context of Western Conference seeding. 

Mavericks player were at the opposing end of the court as Kevon Looney got an easy basket

Currently, the reigning champs (38-36) sit two games ahead of the Mavs (36-37). If Dallas had instead won, it would be the No. 6 seed instead of its current No. 9 place. 

Per the NBA constitution, a team must file a fax or email with NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver within 48 hours of a game’s conclusion, if objecting to the result. 

A check of $10,000 payable to the league must also be submitted for the protest to be considered. 

‘If the member filing the protest prevails, the $10,000 is to be refunded. If the member does not prevail, the $10,000 is to be forfeited and retained in the Association treasury,’ the constitution reads.

Silver will have five days from the point of receipt to make a judgement on the outcome. The likelihood of the commissioner ruling in favor of the Mavericks is beyond remote. 

Luka Doncic and Dallas lost a crucial game in the context of Western Conference seeding