The Portland Trail Blazers were in good shape on Wednesday night up one point with the ball and only seconds remaining, and then everything fell apart.
Chauncey Billups has been ejected from the game pic.twitter.com/4Fmkc6tTJC
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) January 24, 2024
There were 16 seconds left and the Blazers led, 109-108; two Thunder defenders trapped Malcolm Brogdon along the sideline. Portland head coach Chauncey Billups frantically tried to call timeout, but before he could, the referees whistled Brogdon for a double-dribble.
Then, when Billups argued, the officials called two technical fouls and ejected Billups from the game, resulting in a double-dribble, double-technicals, two foul shots and the ball for Oklahoma City.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made one of the two technical shots, tying the game at 109. Then Jalen Williams made his second jumper in the last 30 seconds to give the Thunder a 111-109 win.
Heading into tonight, Jalen Williams was 13-for-16 from the field in the clutch: https://t.co/ryEHsJvIIh
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) January 24, 2024
Two more huge jumpers in the final 30 seconds against Portland, including the game-winner. Just monster after monster after monster in OKC. pic.twitter.com/dnAWTBn3L7
To cap off the comeback win, Gilgeous-Alexander stole the ball from Brogdon, and the Thunder took over first place in the Western Conference.
Afterward, Billups was still stunned he wasn’t granted the timeout, telling reporters, “It was a frustrating play. My guys played too hard for that.”
Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups post game on the late game controversial call where Billups was attempting to call a timeout, but the call on the floor was a double dribble by the officials which led to two Portland technicals late. pic.twitter.com/UT1h986td6
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) January 24, 2024
Billups explained that while the referees said they couldn’t hear his timeout call, usually referees know to watch for one in that sort of late-game situation.
“We got timeouts. Usually, referees are prepared for that situation,” Billups told reporters. “I’m at half court trying to call a timeout.”
The referees didn’t give Portland a timeout, but they didn’t hesitate to give Billups two game-changing technicals. And Williams didn’t hesitate in burying a jumper to give Portland their most painful loss of the season.
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