DALLAS — With 2.1 seconds left in the Thunder's 117-116 loss to the Mavericks, the final game of the season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was called for a foul while countering P.J. Washington's late corner 3-pointer. It was done.
His three free throws decided OKC's fate.
But of course, the Thunder's season wasn't over until coach Mark Dainot used his final timeout to challenge the call. After an official review, Saturday's crew upheld the verdict, and Washington carried out the deed.
In an official Tony Brothers pool report conducted by ESPN's Tim McMahon, Brothers complied with the ruling.
more:Mussatto: Heartbroken that OKC Thunder's season is over, but this is just the beginning of a new era
“During the review, we learned that Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) initially started with the ball, but then slipped off the ball and while still playing with control of the ball, hit (P.J.) Washington's arm and obviously illegally. “It turned out that there was some kind of contact between the two men,” the brother said.
“Since the ball was not removed by contact, the subsequent contact with the arm is illegal. If the ball had come off when Shai hit it, the subsequent contact would have been considered minor, but here… That didn’t happen.”
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander spoke with regret. He accepted ownership of the phone and pondered what had happened.
“I shouldn't have fouled him,” SGA said. “We talk all year long about the little things that help us win games. Being disciplined. It sucks. Of course, if I could have that moment back, I wouldn't have fouled him. , I would have just let him take the shot or not.”
more:Why OKC Thunder's Josh Guidy and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander donate to young fans in need
