NBA News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and head coach Nick Nurse argue with referee Kevin Scott (24) after a loss to the LA Clippers at Wells Fargo Center. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Ref blows crucial foul call, costs 76ers chance to spoil James Harden's return

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 3/28/24

The Philadelphia 76ers suffered a heartbreaking loss in James Harden’s return to the Wells Fargo Center. The sticking point from that gutting defeat, however, had little to do with the team's former star point guard.

Instead, a non-call on the final play left the 76ers stinging following the 108-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

With the Clippers holding a one-point advantage and 5.1 seconds remaining, a jump ball was held at center court after Kawhi Leonard blocked Kelly Oubre’s layup and it got wedged between the rim and backboard. The 76ers won the jump ball, and Oubre had a chance for a game-winning layup.

But Paul George slid into the lane and made body contact while contesting the shot, causing Oubre's release to occur after the game clock expired (the shot was blocked by Leonard anyway).

The non-call from officials on George had both Oubre and head coach Nick Nurse enraged.

Weird ending in Philadelphia. With the Clippers leading by 1, there was a jump ball with 5.1 seconds left. The 76ers controlled the tip but came up empty.

Nick Nurse was upset, thinking Kelly Oubre was fouled. pic.twitter.com/ohWzQ1HtHY
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 28, 2024

Oubre followed Nurse in making a beeline straight to the officials and appeared to call out each and every ref individually to their face.

Oubre asking them “got it?” after got me pic.twitter.com/z5TMPDV2xz
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 28, 2024

After the game, NBA referee Kevin Scott admitted after the game that a foul should have been called on George during that final possession, as Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer revealed.

NBA refereee Kevin Scott on the final play of the Sixers vs. Clippers game: "On the last play on the floor, in real time the crew interpreted that play as the defender jumping vertically. However, in post-game video review we did observe some slight drift to his left by the…
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) March 28, 2024

Regardless, Oubre spoke in the locker room after the incident, apologized for losing his cool, and said he’d accept whatever penalty the league imposes.

"I want to apologize for just losing my cool, because that's something I try to work on each and every day, and try to represent God in the best way I possibly can, and that wasn't it. I just ask for forgiveness,” Oubre said, via PHLY Sixers. "It wasn't cool, so I'll take whatever penalties come with that."

The loss dropped the 76ers to 39-34 as they continue to hope for the return of star big man Joel Embiid. They currently sit as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, a half-game back of the Miami Heat and 1.5 games behind the Indiana Pacers for the No. 6 seed.

The Clippers' victory was important as they avoided dropping their third straight game and moved to 45-27. The win helped Los Angeles keep a hold on the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference as the New Orleans Pelicans (one game behind), Dallas Mavericks (two), Phoenix Suns (2.5), and Sacramento Kings (three) all continue to press for higher playoff seeding.

More must-reads: