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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Bgie Areña

Sam Merrill Neck Grab: Why Are NBA Fans Furious Over Officiating Decision?

Sam Merrill Ausar Thompson NBA Pistons Detroit Donovan Mitchell Daniss Jenkins Duncan Robinson Evan Mobley Zach Zarba
Sam Merrill (Credit: smerrill05/Instagram)

Sam Merrill was left on the floor clutching his neck in Cleveland on Friday night after a violent-looking collision with Ausar Thompson, but NBA officials ruled the Detroit Pistons wing guilty of only a flagrant foul 1 in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semi-final against the Cavaliers, prompting a furious reaction from home fans.

The incident occurred in the second quarter of Detroit's 115-94 win, with 8:04 remaining before halftime and the Pistons already 12 points ahead. Thompson, freed in recent games to shadow Donovan Mitchell thanks to the emergence of guard Daniss Jenkins, tried to fight over a screen set by Sam Merrill. At full speed, it looked like a hard basketball play. On replay, it looked far uglier.

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