Josh Giddey caught up in rules controversy in wild finish to NBA thriller

Aussie youngster Josh Giddey was caught up in a controversial finish to an NBA thriller as a huge referee call cost his team badly.

Matthew Sullivan

2 min read

November 4, 2023 - 4:03PM

Josh Giddey was caught up in a controversial NBA finish.

Josh Giddey may have inadvertently cost his team a thrilling NBA win as the Golden State Warriors claimed a controversial victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday (AEDT).

In a high scoring affair, the young Thunder outfit were missing marquee man Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but took it right up to a full strength Warriors team.

Watch an average of 9 NBA Regular Season games per week LIVE on ESPN, available via Kayo. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

The game went down to the wire, with Steph Curry pulling out all sorts of tricks to steal a 141-139 win right at the death.

With the score level at 139-139, Curry attacked the hoop and threw a lay-up high off the backboard.

Curry’s shot went in with 0.2 seconds left on the clock, handing the Warriors a last gasp win.

Replays showed Golden State’s Draymond Green touched the rim as the ball was on its downward trajectory, an offence known as goaltending interference that would usually mean the basket wouldn’t count.

But the referees ruled that Giddey had infringed by touching the net as he jumped up to try and get the rebound, meaning Green’s goaltending offence was overturned, Curry’s bucket counted and Warriors got the win.

Basketball pundits were divided by the call, with many convinced the goaltending call should have stood.

Looks like Draymond Green pushes Josh Giddeyâ€™s hand into the net for those wondering about Giddey touching the net:
pic.twitter.com/xll0U21rOz
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) November 4, 2023

It should've been a goaltend https://t.co/t6qkKMEBiS
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 4, 2023

Officially being credited as a Steph Curry game-winner. Sounds like they ruled that Josh Giddey grabbed the net before Draymond Green interference, meaning Curry basket counts. https://t.co/XflGoGr0Vh
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 4, 2023

If the explanation from the NBA includes Giddey touching the net, the rule states that if a player from each team touches the rim, net or ball, that no points can be scored, and there is to be a jump ball at mid court
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) November 4, 2023

Former NBA player Michael Cage was furious in commentary, confused at how the referees decided Giddey had infringed on the play.

“How do you know that when he punched the rim? He hit the rim with his hand. He hurt his hand on the rim. How do you know that?” he said.

“If you hit the rim, it doesn’t matter. In this case, he actually hit it with force. I’ve been a part of this league for 35 years - 15 as a player, 20 as a broadcaster, I have never seen that call overturned when a player clearly hits the rim with force and it’s not deemed a goaltend. My goodness.”

Josh Giddey was caught up in a controversial finish.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen,” co-commentator Chris Fischer said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that call... a shocking ruling from the officials. A ruling that had never been seen before.”

Interesingly, officials didn’t even mention Giddey when explaining why the goaltending call was overturned.

“They said he touched the rim but not to the extent that it impacted the play,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.

OKC big man Chet Holmgren, who impressed with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists, defended his teammate post-game.

“He had a huge 4th quarter,” he said.

“I don’t want that to go under the bus…I want that to get attention. This is a tough dude. I don’t know what neighbourhood from Australia he’s from but…”

For his part, Giddey had 18 points, five rebounds and four assists.