Jazz Got Shafted on Controversial Foul-Call Reversal vs. Suns
The Utah Jazz lost to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night in a double-overtime thriller, 140-137. There was a lot for Jazz fans to discuss after the heartbreaking defeat, but the topic that dominated the social media front was the play that ended the game as time expired.
Lauri Markkanen took a fadeaway corner three-point shot to force the game to triple overtime, and it appeared Kevin Durant fouled him. However, the play was challenged by Suns head coach Frank Vogel, and the call on the court was reversed.
The argument for the Suns was that Durant touched the ball first before hitting Markkanen’s hand. When watching the replay, this is correct. If that was the only aspect of what was up for debate, then reversing the call was the right decision.
However, taking a closer look at the replay, there are two questions that aren’t so black and white. As Markkanen rises for the shot, Durant’s right hand is placed on his rib cage.
One could argue that it didn’t affect the shot, but we’ve entered some grey areas. Overturned plays should be black and white, and opinions on what happened here are clearly all over the map.
There’s also the question of Durant finishing in Markkanen’s landing space. Markkanen is fading away when rising and lands out of bounce.
When watching the replay, Durant is imposing on the spot where Markkanen wants to land. Again, we’re entering the grey area, where the tie goes to the call on the court.
Not surprisingly, the two players involved in the play had different opinions after the game. Durant didn’t mince words when asked about the call.
"It was ridiculous to even call that," Durant said about the final possession. "I knew I blocked the shot, and I knew I didn't touch him at all."
Markannen had a different opinion on the game-deciding call.
"I think he got the ball, but he hit my left arm, and that's what I thought they called foul," Markkanen said after the game. "Then I saw the replay, and I didn't even know if they are looking at body contact, or I started looking to see if I was inbounds in general."
At the end of the day, it’s what the referees say that matters. Crew chief Zach Zarba explained why the call was overturned in the after-game Pool Report interview with Sarah Todd of The Deseret News.
"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," Crew Chief Zach Zarba said.
Zambra also addressed Durant’s offhand contact with Markkanen as he rose up for the shot.
"Yes, we reviewed both of those aspects of the play. But the clear and conclusive evidence that Durant got to the basketball first was the key here. Making everything after it was marginal, in our opinion," Zabra said.
This was a confusing response, considering Durant’s hand was in Markkanen’s midsection before he blocked the shot.
Either way, the play had some loose ends, and it was surprising that the call on the court was overturned. The evidence for a reversal must be more straightforward for a call to be changed. In this instance, it wasn’t.
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