Mavs’ owner Mark Cuban furious with NBA officials over controversial call in Warriors game

The controversial decision in the Dallas Mavericks’ victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, which led to a free, uncontested dunk for the Warriors, has ignited a fierce rebuke from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who called it “the worst officiating non-call mistake possibly in the history of the NBA,” and has subsequently filed an official protest to the NBA.

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has criticized the NBA referees over a decisive free basket that led to their defeat against the Golden State Warriors. Cuban called it one of the worst officiating non-call mistakes in NBA history.

The incident occurred during the Mavericks’ 127-125 defeat on Wednesday night, when confusion over which side had possession of the ball led to an uncontested Warriors dunk. The confusion incensed the billionaire and intends to file an official protest to the NBA.

On the Warriors broadcast, you can clearly hear Kidd say "You told us it was our ball" pic.twitter.com/Hof5EO7f2q

— Brian Dameris (@bdameris) March 23, 2023

Returning from a timeout, Warriors centre Kevon Looney accepted a free dunk as the Mavericks stood on their offensive end of the court, believing they had possession. Cuban claimed the officials had initially said it was Mavericks ball before a timeout was called.

Cuban tweeted, “The ref called Mavs ball. The announcer announced it. Then there was a timeout. During the time out the official changed the call and never told us. Then when they saw us line up as if it were our ball, he just gave the ball to the Warriors. Never said a word to us. They got an easy basketball. Crazy that it would matter in a 2 point game. Worst officiating non-call mistake possibly in the history of the NBA. All they had to do was tell us and they didn’t.”

For those wondering about the play with 1:54 to go on the 3rd, let me explain what happened. The ref called Mavs ball . The announcer announced it. Then there was a timeout . During the time out the official changed the call and never told us. Then when they saw us line up as…

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) March 23, 2023

Cuban’s frustration likely stems from the fact that Looney’s freebie proved decisive in Wednesday night’s result, which ended in a two-point Warriors win. Additionally, his team fell to ninth in a congested Western Conference, while the Warriors sit just one-and-half games ahead in sixth, as the race for the playoffs heats up.

Mavericks star Luka Doncic shared the feeling of confusion that surrounded the incident. He said, “I was surprised. I was like, ‘What is that?’ I’ve never seen that happen in my life.”

According to the NBA constitution, the Mavericks must write their protests within 48 hours. NBA commissioner Adam Silver will inform the Warriors, and each team will have five days to file evidence to support their case. Silver will determine the outcome within five days of receipt of the evidence.

However, protests are rarely upheld, with the last successful attempt coming in January 2008. The Mavericks were also the last team to lodge a complaint for their game against the Atlanta Hawks in 2020, but it proved unsuccessful.

Cuban must accompany the protest with a $10,000 (£81,000) fee, which will be refunded if the protest prevails.

From Rags to Riches: The Maverick Rise of Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban, an American entrepreneur and investor, bought the Dallas Mavericks in 2000. Cuban’s net worth, as of 2021, is estimated to be around $4.3 billion, and he is known for his investments in various fields such as sports, entertainment, and technology.

Before he became a billionaire, Cuban worked as a bartender, disco dancing instructor, and computer software salesman. He then started his own company, MicroSolutions, which he eventually sold for $6 million. He later co-founded Broadcast.com, which was sold to Yahoo for nearly $6 billion.

Cuban’s interest in sports led him to purchase the Mavericks from Ross Perot Jr. for $285 million in 2000. Under his ownership, the Mavericks have become a winning team, winning the NBA championship in 2011. Cuban is known for being an involved owner, often sitting courtside at games and frequently speaking out on issues regarding the NBA and his team.