NBA releases statement defending Raptors-Kings call

The NBA released a thorough explanation for their decision to uphold a controversial call that marred the conclusion of Sunday's game between the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings.

Terrence Ross hit what appeared to be a game-tying triple at the buzzer to force overtime, but that shot was waved off on account of a clock malfunction.

The Raptors reportedly plan to file a formal protest, but the league confirmed the call in its last-two minute report released Monday and followed up by releasing a comprehensive statement detailing their reasoning.

After review at the league office, we have concluded that the end of the game was officiated correctly by NBA rules. We reviewed all aspects of the final 27.4 seconds and below is a summary of our evaluation.

Toronto inbounded the ball with 2.4 seconds remaining in the game, and the clock did not start when the pass was deflected by Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins. Per the NBA's precision timing system, the clock can be started by either the referees or the clock operator. The referees noticed the clock malfunction immediately which triggered a replay review under rule 13.1.a.5, which states that a review must occur if 'a play concludes (i) with no time remaining on the clock (0:00) at the end of any period or (ii) at a point when the game officials believe that actual time may have expired in any period; and the officials are reasonably certain that the game clock malfunctioned during the play.'

Per rule 13.2.e.1, the Replay Center was then tasked with determining 'the proper time (if any) on the game clock following the clock malfunction by determining how much time on the game clock actually expired.' To determine how much time actually expired, Replay Center referee Zach Zarba used a digital timer on the Replay Center screen. The determination was that 2.5 seconds expired, thus negating the basket.

We also reviewed the question surrounding the time left on the clock for Sacramento's final possession. That possession started with 26.4 seconds remaining on the game clock since that is when Cousins secured possession of the rebound after a missed free throw. The subsequent shot clock violation on the Kings' possession therefore left 2.4 seconds remaining in the game.