Updates directly from the league office on officiating and rule clarifications
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See below for Part 1 of the 2026 Playoffs Points of Emphasis video (narrated by SVP, Head of Referee Development and Training Monty McCutchen), which provides updated examples and guidance regarding Closeouts on Jump Shots (High Fives, Landing Space):
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Luka Doncic’s (LAL) technical foul at 7:40 of the 4th quarter on 4/8/25 (vs. OKC) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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This is a legal play. Although James puts the ball behind his back, he only takes two steps after the gather of the ball and therefore it is NOT a travel.
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Scott Foster (non-Covid related illness) is not available to officiate tonight’s game between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
Eric Lewis (Crew Chief), Ben Taylor (Referee), Tre Maddox (Umpire) and Nick Buchert (Alternate) will be the officiating crew for the game.
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Anthony Edwards’ (MIN) technical foul at 1:15 of the 3rd quarter on 5/4/24 (vs. DEN) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Beginning with Summer Leagues and effective for the 2021-22 season, game officials will enforce the playing rules in a manner that reduces the incentive for offensive players to use non-basketball moves to draw fouls.
Thread ⤵️ (1/7)
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LAC’s Patrick Beverley fined $5000 for violating league’s anti-flopping rules for the 2nd time this season on Nov.22 vs. HOU.
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For the 2021-22 NBA season, there will be an interpretive change in the officiating of overt, abrupt or abnormal non-basketball moves by offensive players with the ball in an effort to draw fouls. The following Points of Education videos showcase areas where a change was needed:
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During last night’s #DALatMIN game, Replay Center officials utilized @Hawkeye_view technology to confirm the ruling of offensive basket interference committed by the Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns:
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The non-basketball move highlighted in this segment shows a shooter launching or leaning into a defender at an abnormal angle.
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The following was announced by the NBA.
Jaylen Brown's (BOS) technical foul (6:50, 2nd qtr) from the game on 5/14/23 has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Jordan Poole’s (GSW) technical foul (10:01, 4th qtr) from game on 3/7/23 rescinded upon league office review.
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Sacramento’s Buddy Hield received a warning for violating the league’s anti-flopping rule March 4 at Portland.
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Jayson Tatum's (BOS) technical foul at 0:42 of the 3rd quarter on 1/2/25 (vs. MIN) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Beginning this season, there will be a heightened penalty (1 free throw + possession) for intentional fouls committed by defenders which deprive the offensive team of a fast-break opportunity. See below for an educational video regarding "Transition Take Fouls":
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Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James received a warning for violating the league’s anti-flopping rule Feb. 12 vs. Memphis.
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NBA referees Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder will be part of the officiating crew, along with Sean Wright, for tonight’s game between the Hornets and Magic in Orlando. This marks the first time that two female referees will officiate the same NBA game.
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Jayson Tatum’s (BOS) technical foul at 2:03 of the 3rd quarter on 4/2/25 (vs. MIA) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Jayson Tatum’s (BOS) Flagrant Foul 1 against Robert Covington (PHI) at 0:1.1 of the 3rd qtr on 12/1/23 has been downgraded to a common foul upon league office review.
nba.com/watch/video/76ers-at…
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An offensive foul should be called on this play, as the offensive player uses his right shoulder and hip to dislodge the defender and the offensive player lands outside his normal floor position. (5/7)
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Chris Paul (PHX) has been assessed a Flagrant Foul 1 upon league review for his contact against Jose Alvarado (NOP) at 4:35 of the 2nd quarter on 4/26/22.
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Anthony Edwards' (MIN) technical foul at 6:29 of the 2nd quarter on 4/11/25 (vs. BKN) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Luguentz Dort’s (OKC) technical foul at 0:23 of the 4th quarter on 12/14/24 (vs. HOU) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Luka Dončić’s (DAL) technical foul at 0:01 of the 1st quarter on 4/7/24 (vs. HOU) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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During a timeout tonight in Chicago, the Bulls recognized retired NBA referee and Chicago native Danny Crawford for a distinguished career.
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This play should result in a no-call, as the offensive player leans into the defensive player (at an abnormal angle), but the contact was marginal. If the offensive player had initiated more than marginal contact, an offensive foul would be the correct call. (4/7)
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POOL REPORT ON SECOND TECHNICAL FOUL WITH 1:04 REMAINING TO PLAY IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE NEW YORK KNICKS/GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS GAME:
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Russell Westbrook’s (DEN) technical foul at 1:24 of the 3rd quarter on 11/19/24 (vs. MEM) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Here is an example of a non-basketball move where the offensive player veers off his path into the defender in an abrupt manner.
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Herbert Jones (NOP) has been assessed a Flagrant Foul 1 upon league review for his contact against Chris Paul (PHX) at 9:52 of the 3rd quarter on 4/24/22.
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At the end of Q4 of tonight’s #DENatLAC game, Replay Center officials confirmed the ruling of a good basket by the Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon:
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Luka Doncic’s (DAL) technical foul at 3:30 of the 3rd qtr on 12/6/23 has been rescinded upon league office review.
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This play should result in a no-call, as the offensive player’s off-arm hooked the defender’s arm (in the process of abruptly attempting a shot in a non-basketball manner) but did not impede the defender’s ability to continue defending the play. (7/7)
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Clarity on blk/charge review: The trigger is that if in the last 2 minutes of the 4th or overtime officials have doubt whether the defender was in the restricted area. While reviewing, they may also confirm if the defender was in legal guarding position when the contact occurred.
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Overt, non-basketball moves used by offensive players to initiate contact with defenders will include when:
- The shooter launches or leans into a defender at an abnormal angle
- The offensive player abruptly veers off his path (sideways or backwards) into a defender
(2/7)
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Luka Dončić’s (DAL) technical foul at 5:22 of the 4th qtr on 3/3/24 has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Anthony Edwards’ (MIN) technical foul at the end of the 2nd quarter on 1/17/25 (vs. NYK) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Victor Wembanyama’s (SAS) technical foul at 0:11 of the 4th quarter on 12/19/24 (vs. ATL) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Traveling 101: The Eurostep
SVP, Head of Referee Development & Training Monty McCutchen is joined by @NBATV's Isiah Thomas and Dennis Scott to discuss how the Eurostep move is officiated in context with the traveling rule.
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This video (narrated by VP, Head of Referee Development & Training Monty McCutchen) provides an overview of rules regarding Traveling for Dribbling Players, as well as specifically addresses the newly-defined concept of the “gather”.
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Josh Giddey’s (OKC) technical foul at 0:58 of the 2nd qtr on 11/6/23 has been rescinded upon league office review.
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On this play, the shooter kicks his leg up at an abnormal angle to initiate contact with the defender. An offensive foul should be called on the play. (6/7)
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This is an instance of a non-basketball move where the offensive player uses his off-arm to initiate contact with a defender.
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Dejounte Murray’s (ATL) technical foul at 4:16 of the 4th qtr on 3/2/24 has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Kristaps Porzingis’ (BOS) technical foul at 7:55 of the 2nd quarter on 1/27/25 (vs. HOU) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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LAC’s Patrick Beverley received a warning for violating league’s anti-flopping rule Nov. 20 vs BOS.
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Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma received a warning for violating the league’s anti-flopping rule Feb. 12 vs. Memphis.
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DeMarcus Cousins (LAC) has been assessed a postgame technical foul upon league review for actions at the conclusion of the game on 6/22/21.
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Mike Scott’s (PHI) foul against Damian Jones (ATL) at 1:36 of 2nd qtr on 10/28/19 has been downgraded from FF2 to FF1 after league review.
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Portland's Damian Lillard has received a warning for violating the league’s anti-flopping rule April 7 vs. Denver.
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Draymond Green’s (GSW) foul against Zach Edey (MEM) at 7:06 of 3rd qtr on 11/15/24 has been upgraded to a Flagrant 1 after league review. nba.com/watch/video/mem-gsw-…
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Here are two additional angles on Paul George's 3-point attempt late in the Oklahoma City Thunder-Utah Jazz game.
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Luka Dončić’s (DAL) technical foul (7:51, 3rd qtr) from the game on 3/26/23 has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Jordan Poole’s (GSW) common foul against Jalen Williams (OKC) at 7:00 of the 3rd qtr on 2/6/23 has been upgraded to a Flagrant 1 upon league review.
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In this non-basketball move, the offensive player overtly extends a portion of his body into a defender.
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Moves by offensive players that would meet this criteria will also include when:
- The shooter kicks his leg (up or to the side) at an abnormal angle
- The offensive player’s off-arm hooks the defender (often in the process of attempting a shot in a non-basketball manner)
(3/7)
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This is not accurate; all calls in L2Ms are evaluated by reviewers trained to rate plays the way officials are instructed to call them; their decisions are approved by ref ops senior staff (former officials) and senior b-ball ops personnel, all with many years of NBA experience
Our issues are not with the media, but with the L2M. It is a flawed process where analysts without officiating experience are using different protocols to evaluate plays than the referees are taught. It breeds inconsistency and frustration for fans, teams, and referees.
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NBA Referee David Guthrie comments to a pool reporter after today's New York at Detroit game: cms.nba.com/official/pool-re…
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Replay Review (Lewis): if Joe Johnson’s made FG was released before time expired in Q4 of #UTAatLAC. Ruling: Confirmed, basket counts.
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Grayson Allen’s (MIL) personal foul against Jalen McDaniels (CHA) at 7:00 of the 1st qtr on 01/06/23 has been upgraded to a Flagrant 1 upon league review.
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Review (Foster): if Curry’s made FG was released before time expired in Q2 #UTAatGSW. Ruling: Upheld, shot counts. snpy.tv/1QIDTcL
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Davion Mitchell’s (MIA) technical foul at 4:00 of the 2nd quarter on 4/2/25 (vs. BOS) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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During Q4 of tonight's #LALatMIN game, Replay Center officials determined the Coach's Challenge by MIN was successful and the original call of out-of-bounds was overturned to a proximate foul committed by the Lakers' LeBron James.
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The @NBA family is overjoyed to welcome back veteran official Tony Brown, who will be working as one of tonight's Replay Center officials in Secaucus #WelcomeBackTony
A feel-good story: Amid encouraging signs in his fight against pancreatic cancer, NBA referee Tony Brown is going back to work tonight in the league's replay center.
apnews.com/article/nba-sport…
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Karl-Anthony Towns’ (MIN) technical foul at 10:10 of the 2nd qtr on 12/26/23 has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Joel Embiid’s (PHI) common foul against Damion Lee (PHX) at 1:13 of the 3rd qtr on 11/7/22 has been upgraded to a Flagrant 1 upon league review.
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Max Strus’ (CLE) technical foul at 5:03 of the 3rd quarter on 4/6/25 (vs. SAC) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Klay Thompson’s (DAL) technical foul at 10:07 of the 2nd quarter on 2/23/25 (vs. GSW) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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NYK’s Josh Hart was assessed a postgame Flopping fine of $2,000 upon league office review for nba.com/watch/video/nyk-vs-b… on Feb. 23 vs. BOS.
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The L2M report for the game played last night has been posted on official.nba.com.
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Replay Review: if James' made FG was released before time expired in Q4 of #CLEvCHI. Ruling: Upheld, shot counts. snpy.tv/1EujkWW
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Review: if Rose’s made 3-point FG was released before time expired in Q4 of #CLEvCHI. Ruling: Upheld, shot counts. snpy.tv/1EjzWl9
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Josh Giddey’s (OKC) technical foul (1:21, 2nd qtr) from Suns-Thunder game on 3/19/23 rescinded upon league office review.
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LAL’s Anthony Davis assessed a Flagrant Foul 1 upon league review for his contact against HOU’s Jeff Green at 0:15 of 2nd qtr on 9/6/20.
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The @NBA today announced the list of 20 officials who have earned spots to work the 2023 NBA Conference Finals presented by Google Pixel:
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Review: if Middleton's made FG was released before time expired in Q4 of #MIAvMIL. Ruling: Upheld, shot counts. snpy.tv/1Ne9ei1
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The White Jacket:
It’s the ultimate symbol of achievement for an NBA referee: The white jacket bestowed upon the select group of officials chosen to work the NBA Finals. Hear what referees past and present have to say about the honor:
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Chet Holmgren’s (OKC) technical foul at 7:34 of the 4th quarter on 2/7/25 (vs. TOR) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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Joe Borgia, NBA Senior Vice President of Replay & Referee Operations, joined @NBATV to discuss why the call on the Kevin Durant drive to the basket was overturned from a charge to a blocking foul on LeBron James.
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Trae Young’s (ATL) technical foul at 0:01 of the 3rd quarter on 3/18/25 (vs. CHA) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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The L2M report for the qualifying game played yesterday has been posted on official.nba.com.
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The L2M report for the qualifying game played yesterday has been posted on official.nba.com.
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Replay Review (Smith): if Ulis' made FG was released before time expired in Q4 of #BOSatPHX. Ruling: Confirmed, basket counts.
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GSW's Green assessed Flagrant 1 triggering a suspension for Finals G5. CLE's James assessed technical foul. nba.com/video/channels/origi…/s/rnX9
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Replay Review (Game Crew): player altercation in Q3 of #CHIatTOR. Ruling: Fighting technical fouls assessed to Lopez & Ibaka (both ejected).
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On this #InternationalWomensDay, the @NBA honors the 10 women working as staff and non-staff officials:
Cheryl Flores
Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling
Simone Jelks
Sha’Rae Mitchell
Dannica Mosher
Ashley Moyer-Gleich
Jenna Reneau
Natalie Sago
Jenna Schroeder
Danielle Scott
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GSW’s K. Durant and LAC’s J. Green have double technical fouls (8:39, 3rd Q) from game on 4/18/19 rescinded upon league office review.
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Chris Paul’s (GSW) technical foul at 5:47 of the 3rd quarter on 4/7/24 (vs. UTA) has been rescinded upon league office review.
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The L2M report for the qualifying game played yesterday has been posted on official.nba.com.
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Review (Malloy): if Lowry’s made FG was released before time expired in Q4 #MIAatTOR. Ruling: Upheld, shot counts. snpy.tv/1SL9xr3
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