Raptors official: ESPN to blame for shot clock malfunction in Game 1

Air Canada Centre opened in 1999, when the Raptors and Maple Leafs moved in. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

The clock malfunction in the Air Canada Centre during Saturday's playoff game between the Raptors and Nets was caused by ESPN — who was doing the television broadcast — a Raptors official told The Canadian Presson Sunday.

"Let's just put it this way, they're not the worldwide leader in electricians," the Raptors official joked, playing on ESPN's slogan as "The Worldwide Leader in Sports."

An ESPN technician reportedly plugged into the same power source as the shot clocks, "frying the power system," according to The Canadian Press.

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The clocks went down with 5:57 remaining in the third quarter of the Raptors' eventual 94-87 loss. Public address announcer Herbie Kuhn had to count down the 24 seconds for each possession with the help of a stopwatch held by an official next to him.

Players found the makeshift system distracting.

"Aw man, I heard Herbie counting down '5. . .4. . . 3. . . 2. . . 1,'" said Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry. "It really is different when you can't see it, and you've got somebody saying '5. . .' and he's counting down."

Game 2 of the series is Tuesday in Toronto. The damaged cables were reportedly replaced and tested on Sunday, according to the team.

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