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In the fourth quarter of Houston Rockets' road game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, 3rd December, James Harden seemingly completed a dunk that the officials surprisingly didn't count. The Rockets eventually went on to lose the game 133-135 in double overtime.
Following the game, NBA officials then admitted that the dunk should have been awarded. Houston isn't letting go of the matter and as per Tim MacMahon of ESPN, will likely be filing an official protest.
Rockets seek redressal
The Rockets either want the game decision to be overturned and be awarded with the win since they technically scored more points in regulation than the Spurs or for the remaining 7:50 of the game – the time left on the clock when Harden made the dunk – to be played at a later date.
It's highly improbable that the association will straight up hand the W to Houston. However, there have been instances where a portion of the leftover game has been played at a later date. The last time something like this happened was back in March 2008 when the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks replayed a part of a game. So the second option still seems viable.
No call on the James Harden dunk
With a little over 7:50 left on the clock in the 4th quarter and the Rockets leading 102-89 against the Spurs, Harden stole the ball and ambled towards the basket to complete a jam. The ball swished through the net before bobbling back up and bouncing off the rim. Much to the astonishment of Mike D'Antoni, Harden, and the Rockets, the refs would not count the dunk.
Officials admit mistake
Crew chief James Capers did go on to admit the mistake later on Tuesday.
"We have since come in here and looked at the play. He dunked it so hard that the net carried it back over the rim a second time, so in fact it did clear the net and should have been a successful field goal."
We can now only wait and see how the whole incident plays out and what the league's decision will be if the Rockets do indeed file the protest.
