The NBA is facing backlash after backlash for controversial calls from the referees. First, Joel Embiid got against a female referee, and then Darko Rajakovic got ejected. And now, another blunder happened during the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers game.
During the Thursday game, an amusing moment unfolded that left everyone confused. As the fourth quarter kicked off, the OKC inbounded the ball, and everything seemed to be going according to plan. However, guard Ajay Mitchell, inspired by a playful nudge from his bench, abruptly veered towards the wrong basket, attempting to score an easy layup. Just as he made his move, the referees interrupted the play, blowing the whistle and calling it dead.
However, it did not take long to realize that the officials had accidentally signaled the Thunder to inbound from the wrong end of the court, which led everybody to a confused state. Although the game was tight, with the Pacers leading 84-83, the stakes were high. However, the refs’ mix-up added to the unexpected excitement.
Refs gave Thunder the ball on the wrong side of the floor to start 4Q 😅 pic.twitter.com/LKDOjMpVK1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 27, 2024
Luckily, the Thunder did not distract from the miscue. They won the game 120-114. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is to thank in large part for his 45-point outing. The loss snapped Indiana’s five-game win streak, leaving them reflecting on what might have been. Meanwhile, the Thunder continued to soar in the standings, now boasting an impressive 24-5 record, even while missing key players like Chet Holmgren.
The NBA Has Many Struggles At Present
The NBA is grappling with challenges far beyond what happens on the court. This season, we’ve seen a striking drop in television ratings and ticket prices for events like the NBA Cup, which are halved compared to last year. While the rise of cord-cutting viewers plays a role, it’s clear that something deeper is amiss.
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Small-market teams like Milwaukee and Oklahoma City are struggling to make a splash, and fans are left questioning the purpose of midseason tournaments. The heart of the issue seems to lie in the league’s economic realities, particularly how the salary cap operates. Intended to create a level playing field, this cap has paradoxically made it challenging for many teams to keep their stars or bring in new talent.
NBA viewership continues to decline…
— Frank Michael Smith (@frankmikesmith) December 11, 2024
◾️ NBA Cup Viewership: Down 10%
◾️ ESPN Viewership: Down 28%
◾️ 2024 Playoff Viewership: Down 12%
One Major Problem…
Half the league’s fans can’t watch their teams play without buying packages outside of basic cable pic.twitter.com/xImgVDoxEU
Even when the cap increases, the penalties for going over it can deter franchises from pursuing the elite players they need to succeed. Take a look at Nikola Jokic, for example. This three-time MVP has dazzled fans, yet the Denver Nuggets’ recent struggles show how the salary cap can restrict a franchise’s ability to build a championship-caliber team.
The excitement of the league feels muted these days, with just six teams winning titles over the past six seasons compared to the iconic battles of the 1980s and 1990s. Couple this with a shift towards analytics that has dulled some of the excitement of play. And the NBA needs to find a way to reignite the spark from star power and thrilling matchups.
