During the fourth quarter of a competitive NBA Finals Game 5 match between the Nuggets and the Heat, something unusual happened.
Miami’s Jimmy Butler kicked his leg out on a 3-point attempt and on the possession, Denver’s Aaron Gordon was called for a foul. This was a bit of a surprising call, but even more shocking was that in the immediate aftermath, ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy noticed something you don’t see very often.
Van Gundy says that he saw NBA referee David Guthrie encourage Nuggets head coach Mike Malone to challenge the call on the field that was made by the officials.
Aaron Gordon was called for a foul on this three-point attempt by Jimmy.
The Nuggets challenged but the call stood. pic.twitter.com/yjk7zdy2P5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 13, 2023
Yet after the replay review, the call was not actually overturned.
The video replay was reviewed by NBA referee Scott Foster.
Father's Day deal
Ref encouraging Mike Malone to challenge a call?
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 13, 2023
Did the announcer just say David Guthrie encouraged Mike Malone to challenge??? holy rigged?
— mg (@legitsalmon11) June 13, 2023
THEY TOLD MALONE TO CHALLENGE ONLY TO KEEP THE CALL
— Jon Max (@jmaxschwartz) June 13, 2023
Did David Guthrie really just encourage Michael Malone to challenge their own foul call? 🤣🤣
— John-Griner Canady (@Johng_c) June 13, 2023
“David Guthrie encouraged him to challenge” is INSANE
— Caleb M (@CCorrell13) June 13, 2023
Did the announcer just say David Guthrie encouraged Mike Malone to challenge??? holy rigged?
— mg (@legitsalmon11) June 13, 2023
Shouts to JVG for pointing out David Guthrie (ref) encouraged the challenge???
— Casamigos Papi (@kash_tro) June 13, 2023
