The NBA has released an official statement addressing the highly controversial finish to Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets — a game that ended in chaos and outrage from players, coaches, and fans alike.
The drama unfolded in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, when a questionable foul call against Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sent Clippers guard Paul George to the free-throw line with just 0.7 seconds remaining. George sank both shots, securing a narrow 106-105 victory for L.A. and giving them a 3-1 lead in the series.
Immediately after the game, social media erupted with criticism, with many fans accusing the officials of robbing Denver of a fair finish. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was visibly frustrated during the post-game press conference, saying, “I’ve never seen a game taken away like that. It’s beyond disappointing.”
In response, the NBA issued a late-night statement acknowledging the controversy, saying:
“After reviewing the final sequence, the contact on the play in question met the criteria for a defensive foul under league rules. However, we understand the frustration from both teams and fans, and will continue to evaluate officiating performance as part of our standard postseason review process.”
Despite the explanation, the league’s statement has done little to calm the backlash, with calls growing louder for greater accountability and even the use of expanded video review in late-game situations.
Game 5 now looms as a must-win for Denver — but the sting of Game 4’s finish may linger well beyond this series.
