NBA Admits Massive Missed Calls in Lakers vs. Nuggets Game 4

The Last Two Minute Report is out for Lakers vs. Nuggets Game 4

The NBA has released their Last Two Minute Report for Game 4 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, and includes some crucial missed calls down the stretch of that series-clinching game.

The first missed call in the Last Two Minute Report came with 1:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. Lakers forward Rui Hachimura was whistled for a kicked ball violation, but the NBA says this was an incorrect ruling. In their explanation, the league wrote, "After the ball is cleanly dislodged by Hachimura's (LAL) arm during the pass attempt, the ball deflects off of Hachimura's right leg and Hachimura does not intentionally kick it."

The second missed call came with 56.7 seconds remaining, when Jamal Murray lost the ball out-of-bounds, and possession was given to the Nuggets. In their explanation, the NBA wrote, "Possession is awarded to Denver. However, the ball touches Murray's (DEN) left hand last before going out of bounds. Reaves does not make contact with it. Possession should have been awarded to Los Angeles."

Unlike the first two, the final missed call was mostly inconsequential, as it came on LeBron James' side of the backboard jumper with 27 seconds remaining. The league determined that Michal Porter Jr. secured the rebound simultaneously with the shot clock expiring, which should have been a shot clock violation rather than a continuation of play. Denver would have been given possession even if this was called correctly.

While the NBA admitted some major missed calls in the final two minutes of Game 4, it is always important to remember that these reports only break down plays that happened within that time frame. Missed calls earlier in the game do not get reported in this way.

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