Damian Lillard had another monster game Friday night for the Portland Trail Blazers, finishing with 42 points in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
But it should have been 44 points and possibly a different outcome to the game if the referees hadn’t missed an obvious goaltending call on Lillard’s layup attempt with 9 seconds left that would have tied the game.
Lillard was rightly furious with the refs for missing such an obvious call and had to be held back after the final whistle.
Check out the play in question and how badly the refs missed this one, as Rudy Golbert clearly blocked the shot after it hit the backboard:
The goaltending on Damian Lillard's shot is crystal clear! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dQgjf7bDnf
— ClutchPoints NBA (@ClutchPointsNBA) February 8, 2020
This missed goaltending call just cost @Dame_Lillard and the #Trailblazers the game
— CheapSeatFans (@CheapSeatFans) February 8, 2020
It couldn’t be reviewed because it wasn’t called, which is stupid.
Lillard was IRATE:
I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen Lillard this heated. It’s a shame to have a game end like it did.
pic.twitter.com/PAFQNreNBM— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) February 8, 2020
Damian Lillard is LIVID after the officials miss the blatant goaltend! #PORvsUTA pic.twitter.com/9N2w3hl1BP
— Adam Waybright (@WaybrightAdam) February 8, 2020
Just a horrible job the by the refs and Lillard had every right to be so upset.
Gobert fessed up to it after the game:
Rudy Gobert acknowledges that after watching the replay, it was clearly a goaltend. However, he hates that the no-call will detract from what the Jazz did to rally. pic.twitter.com/pI0RYKX0uJ
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) February 8, 2020
Lillard didn’t calm down when he got to the locker room, either:
I’ve known @Dame_Lillard since his predraft workout in Portland. I have never, EVER, seen him as mad as he was in the postgame locker room. Pure, uncut anger.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) February 8, 2020
Twitter was on Lillard’s side:
That was some BullS$&@$ right there. This @trailblazers vs @utahjazz game, this last play by @Dame_Lillard was a CLEAR GOALTENDING. How the hell are you an official and you miss that call. Lillard was absolutely right to be pissed. Horrible….Horrible miss!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 8, 2020
The Blazers security guard was the only guy all night who could stay in front of Damian Lillard. Can't blame Dame for being hot after that blatant missed goaltending.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 8, 2020
Damian Lillard has every right to be fuming at the refs. It’s such a stupid rule that you can’t review non-calls on what was an OBVIOUS goaltend.
— Rob (33-18) Rockets (@Hou5ton4L) February 8, 2020
Damian Lillard heading to the studio to drop a diss track on the nba refs pic.twitter.com/OrmC7yUThr
— Joe Mamma (@MoeLester90) February 8, 2020
911 I'd like to report a robery, Damian Lillard has been robbed pic.twitter.com/8Zhi5vikUL
— Per Sources (@PerSources) February 8, 2020
[jwplayer ucyevoBp-q2aasYxh]