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SALT LAKE CITY — Kevin Durant and Lauri Markkanen met up after Phoenix's 140-137 double-overtime win over the Utah Jazz Sunday night. They dapped each other up, had a quick talk, and shared a laugh.
All the while, the debate over what should have been called — or not called — on the deciding play moments earlier was raging on.
Durant blocked Markkanen's game-tying 3-point attempt in the corner, but that game-defining play didn't come without controversy. The block was initially deemed a foul, which would have given Markkanen three free throws to potentially send the game into overtime.
Phoenix, though, still had a challenge; and after further review, the call was reversed. Game over. Suns win.
So was it right? That answer depends on who you ask.
"I thought (it was a foul)," Markkanen said. "I thought so the whole time. I was getting ready to shoot three free throws."
Replays showed that Durant did indeed get the ball first, but his follow through hit Markkanen's off hand.
Clean block by Kevin Durant or foul on KD on Lauri Markkanen? pic.twitter.com/7K4DeEu1Y4
— Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) November 20, 2023
"I thought that's where they called the foul," Markkanen said.
That's likely where the refs called the initial foul. But after heading to the monitor, they deemed the contact was "marginal" enough to not merit a foul.
"In our opinion, there was clear and conclusive evidence that Durant made legal contact to the basketball blocking the shot first," referee Zach Zarba told a pool reporter after the game. "That's why the challenge was ruled successful."
The officials used the same explanation to excuse Durant's minimal off-hand contact, as well as Durant jumping into Markkanen's landing space. Durant and Markkanen both landed out of bounds after the play.
"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 marginal in our opinion," Zarba said.
Durant, unsurprisingly, agreed with that explanation.
"It was ridiculous to even call that. I knew I blocked the shot and I knew I didn't touch him at all," Durant told the Associated Press after the game. "But that's just how the game is. It was a quick play for (the official), so I'm sure she wanted to review it and get the right call."
But the Jazz weren't as convinced the officials got the call right. Jazz coach Will Hardy playfully said: "Christmas is coming up, I'd like to keep my money. Ask me after Christmas."
John Collins, meanwhile, wasn't positive that a flagrant foul wasn't warranted due to where Durant landed.
"There's two guys running at Lauri full speed," Collins said. "One doesn't let him land, and I feel like hit him on the arm a little bit. But I don't know what to say, they reversed the call — they usually never do that. … I think that's 3 points plus a look for not letting Lauri land."
As it was, it was a heartbreaking loss for the Jazz, who were visibly frustrated with the ending in the postgame locker room.
"That's the decision they make; I got nothing for it," Markkanen said. "Obviously, you don't want to lose a game like that."
