"You crooks rig every game" - NBA Fans Rip Referee Account for Defending No-Call on Hawks' Controversial Backcourt & Calling Out Veteran Broadcaster

NBA fans were surprised by how the game between the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers went down on Sunday. It was close in the last seconds of the competition. The Hawks had a 118-117 advantage with 2.5 seconds left on the game clock.

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson inbounded the ball to Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He received the ball in the frontcourt but still brought it to the backcourt before he was fouled. Since the ball became live while Alexander-Walker was in the frontcourt, many thought he should've been called for a backcourt violation.

Alaa Abdelnaby, a seasoned 76ers broadcaster, also criticized it. Head coach Nick Nurse was also upset that it wasn't ruled as a backcourt violation. Alexander-Walker received the ball in the frontcourt, and the refs should have called it out, the nurse informed the officials.

However, things didn't go their way, and they suffered a 120-117 loss. On Monday, the referees cleared the air on the issue on their X (formerly Twitter) account. They defended not calling it a violation. They even called out Abdelnaby for telling fans during the broadcast that it was an officiating mistake.

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"This was not a backcourt violation and has never been a backcourt violation," the referees posted. "For those calling the game, there is a responsibility to know the NBA rules and explain them correctly in order to properly educate the fans @alaatweets"

Following this, fans revealed their thoughts on what the officials said.

"Yeah your league sucks and you crooks rig every game. Employ a referee still that was involved in a betting scandal in Scott foster. Clown show," a fan said. "If this game were still basketball, then it would be traveling before any backcourt violation," another fan commented. "Refs determined the outcome of the game. Suspend all of them!" one fan said.

More fans called out the officials.

"Trying to understand NBA officiation lately…. Rigged period," someone commented. "It is but the NBA blows piss poor product," a comment read. "This some rigged as s**t. Good thing I don’t bet the @NBA," another fan commented.

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Devin Booker called an NBA referee after the Lakers-Suns game

In the final moments of the LA Lakers-Phoenix Suns game, LeBron James attempted a 3-pointer. Devin Booker was in front of him and was called for a shooting foul. According to the NBA official who called the foul, Booker made contact with James' wrist.

Following the game, the Suns star couldn't hide his frustration over how the game was officiated.

“They reviewed it. They still looked at it. I’m still trying to get the proper ruling on it… [The ref] said I hit his wrist, which was a lie. I rewatched it,” the four-time All-Star said.

Because of the call, the Suns suffered a 116-114 loss to the Lakers.

Edited by Reign Amurao