Congrats to the Knicks!!! Incredible championship run. Let’s discuss!!!

the whole game broken down - with tons of subtle things that most people missed, including an elbow from KAT to Wemby that didn't get called: youtu.be/89eWiUoD0CE

Unreleased footage that shows the Spurs in utter confusion coming out of the timeout before the OG tip in. MUST watch, sound up. Link to full breakdown below 👇🏀

Remember: For a back court violation when it's being dribbled across - both feet AND the ball must be established in the front court first (ball must *bounce* in front court). We can see Alvarado does not get all 3 in front court so he can go into backcourt again. LEGAL

It would’ve been a mess, BUT fortunately it’s one that would’ve been cleaned up, as this is a reviewable matter via the Instant Replay trigger found in NBA Rule 13 - Sec I - a(5) (Pic 1)! If Castle had made the shot, the crew would’ve had the ability to independently go to the monitor to review for a possible timing error/clock malfunction (Pic 2: NBA Rule 13 - Sec II - e). While at the monitor, they would determine how much time on the game clock would’ve actually expired after the throw-in pass was legally touched by KAT (Pic 3: NBA Rule 2 - Sec VIII - c), and whether the ball left the shooter’s hand prior to the expiration of ACTUAL time. So the correct decision would be reached no matter what, but it would’ve caused a big fuss in the moment.

2026 NBA FINALS GAME 4 REFEREE ASSIGNMENTS 🏀🏆 NBA Replay official is Marc Davis.

🎧NEW: Coaches Break Down the @NBA Finals | Coach Nick, @bballbreakdown podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…

2026 NBA FINALS GAME 3 REFEREE ASSIGNMENTS 🏀🏆 NBA Replay official is Scott Foster.

This play was correctly officiated. When we referee the defense, we see Shamet jumps vertically (straight up) to contest Castle’s driving shot attempt, keeps his left arm collapsed to his body, and when he swipes down to block the shot, he makes contact that dislodges the ball prior to contact to Castle’s wrist. Excellent patience from the refs to process this play, and determine that Shamet did not make illegal contact.

2026 NBA FINALS GAME 2 REFEREE ASSIGNMENTS 🏀🏆 NBA Replay official is Sean Wright.

Great questions. I’d be happy to answer both. 1st Play: There is no such thing as an “over the back foul”. We aren’t going to penalize a player just for being taller or jumping higher than their opponent, if they don’t create illegal contact. So we are looking to see if there is a push, or an impede with an extended arm. Wemby jumps straight up within his vertical plane to compete for the rebound. He does not hinder KAT’s ability to jump with an extended arm over him, nor does he jump into KAT and dislodge him. Actually, if there was a foul on this play, it would be for KAT backing into Wemby as Wemby jumps, and/or him hooking Wemby’s right arm, and hindering him from competing for the rebound. Wemby was the one potentially disadvantaged by KAT’s actions here, but since the rebound went to a Spurs player, it’s deemed incidental contact. 2nd Play: As Wemby is moving up the floor in a straight line path, Shamet slides into Wemby’s path in an attempt to draw a charge, but by the time he obtains a position on the floor in Wemby’s path, he doesn’t afford Wemby an opportunity to avoid contact, which is a prerequisite for obtaining a legal guarding position on a moving opponent without the ball (NBA Rule in Pic below). So by rule, Shamet is responsible for this contact. If Wemby had been disadvantaged by this contact (trip & fall, not been able to get to a potential pass in his direction, etc) then this would’ve actually been called a blocking foul on Shamet.

LOTS to talk about LIVE, so join us: youtube.com/live/plvo8IqY_RY…

2026 NBA FINALS GAME 1 REFEREE ASSIGNMENTS 🏀🏆 NBA Replay official is Zach Zarba.

Huge achievement! Congrats to the refs selected to work the NBA Finals!

LOTS to talk about with this Spurs At Thunder Live Post Game 7 Show. Join me and @OfficialChipC youtube.com/live/rmUKa7Tp_vY… via @YouTube

Another excellent crew for GM7 of WCF tonight! All 3 on-court officials are Crew Chiefs, with vast playoff experience, including 45 NBA Finals games officiated between the 3 of them. Looking forward to a great, well officiated game tonight!

In all honesty, I wish Chris Paul would start on the path to becoming a NBA Ref in his retirement. I think he’d be amazing at it! Extremely high 🏀 IQ, former point guards usually make awesome refs, understands angles & player movements, etc. I’d also love to see him start this journey so we could see how his opinion on refs evolves. x.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/2…

Tonight’s NBA Playoff Referee Assignments 🏀🏆 WEST FINALS – GAME 6 ⏰ 830PM ET 🏀 @okcthunder at @spurs 🏀 15 Zarba, 60 Williams, 39 Ford Alternate Official: Gediminas Petraitis Replay Center Referee: Ben Taylor