The New Orleans Pelicans-Oklahoma City Thunder Play-In game on Wednesday ended in a controversial moment that has NBA Twitter divided. With only 4.3 seconds left on the clock, Brandon Ingram hit a clutch three, reducing the Thunder’s lead to one.
However, Ingram thought he was fouled by Lu Dort in the process and argued that he should have been given a free throw, which would have tied the game. Unfortunately for Ingram, the referees did not call a foul, and the Pelicans had to take a foul to buy some time in an attempt to make a comeback. Ultimately, the team lost to the Thunder 123-118.
The controversial moment with Ingram went viral on social media. Some viewers believed he was fouled and should have been given a free throw, while others argued that the referees were correct not to call a foul. Video replays of the incident also showed that it wasn’t clear from one referee’s perspective if there was contact or not, which could explain why it wasn’t called a foul.
Some commenters believe that there was no foul at all, with one saying, “From the side, you could see he didn’t foul. He pulled his hand back.” Another sarcastically commented, “My thoughts are that a foul requires physical contact to be made. So..”
Others, however, believe that there was contact and that the referees should have called a foul. One fan argued, “That’s a foul. Should’ve gone to OT,” while another stated, “That was definitely a foul.”
Ultimately, the officials’ decision not to call a foul is final, and there is no way to change the results now, even if it was a foul. While some fans may feel that the game was stolen from the Pelicans, it’s important to remember that there were other moments throughout the game that could have made a difference.
It’s also worth noting that referees have a challenging job, and sometimes controversial decisions are made in the heat of the moment.
The Evolution of Brandon Ingram: A Play-In Tournament Maestro
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram has been playing exceptionally well, averaging 27.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game in 18 games since March 1st. He has also shown improved playmaking ability, with four double-digit assist games during that span.
Ingram’s impressive performance has been essential for the Pelicans, who are missing Zion Williamson and have struggled to shoot a lot of 3-pointers. He has also been successful in previous play-in tournaments, showcasing his shotmaking skills and ability to handle aggressive game plans from opponents.
Ingram’s height, stretchy arms, and long strides make him unguardable, and he can make difficult shots whenever necessary. He will be looking for favorable matchups in the upcoming play-in tournament games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.
His ability to create and make tough shots at a high rate against any individual defender in the league will be valuable in the playoffs.
