NBA referees play a huge role in making sure that the games are being played according to the rules. They bear the responsibility of letting the games play or stopping the game in order to call fouls and penalties.

Unfortunately, given that they’re also humans, referees also make mistakes. Although a referee has room for mistakes, those mistakes can be costly, especially for a team who placed everything on the hardwood to earn a much-needed victory. For this piece, let’s take a look at the 10 biggest mishaps committed by NBA referees.

10. Tim Duncan ejected for laughing

In a 2007 game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks, Tim Duncan was already warned by Joey Crawford for arguing an offensive foul call. But late in the third quarter, Duncan was seen laughing at the bench.

Crawford suddenly took offense to that, as he immediately sent Duncan into the showers. Crawford would later regret that decision as he was suspended by the league for the remainder of the season, including the postseason. Nevertheless, the damage had been done as the Mavs went on to beat the Spurs, 91-86.

9. Kevin Durant out of bounds not called

The Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors were locked in a tight game during the 2018-19 regular season. During the final minute of overtime, Durant saved a loose ball. But despite stepping out of bounds, the play continued as the save led to a Stephen Curry jumper to give the Warriors a lead.

The referees dodged this one as James Harden drilled the game-winning three for the Rockets. After the game, the referees admitted that they failed to stop the play.

8. Nick Young's traveling not called before game-winner

The Oklahoma City Thunder were ready to become championship contenders for the 2016-'17 season while the Los Angeles Lakers were still figuring out life after Kobe Bryant had retired. Nonetheless, the Lakers managed to take one victory away from the Thunder after Nick Young drilled a game-winning three.

However, replays showed that Young took extra steps before taking the shot. Unfortunately for the Thunder, no call was made, and all they got was the NBA’s apology.

7. LeBron James non-foul call on potential game-winning shot

While LeBron James was chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s total points for the NBA record in January 2023, he was also helping the Lakers win as many games as possible. But in a series of missed calls against the Lakers, this one took the cake.

In the final possession, James made a potential game-winning drive that saw his arm get slapped by Jayson Tatum in mid-air while attempting a layup. The referees didn’t blow the whistle, and the game was decided in favor of the Boston Celtics. The NBA referees later admitted their mistake on the noncall.

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo's 5-second back-to-the-basket game-winner

With a tight game in Madison Square Garden in January 2017, the Bucks were facing a one-point deficit against the Knicks in the final eight seconds of the game. The inbound pass went to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who proceeded to post up for more than five seconds before making a game-winning fadeaway jumper. The referees failed to call the five-second back-to-the-basket violation that would’ve been possession and a victory for the Knicks.

5. Kendrick Perkins’ goaltending tip-in

Bad officiating is more forgivable in the regular season. But in the playoffs, when the stakes are high, those mistakes are more costly for teams.

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In Game 1 of the first round of the 2011 playoffs, the referees admitted to their mishap for failing to call offensive interference on Kendrick Perkins’ tip-in that would’ve allowed the Denver Nuggets to keep their lead late in the fourth. The Nuggets not only lost that tight contest but also fell to the Thunder in five games.

4. Non-foul call that led to a Melo game-winner

In the 2009 playoffs, the Mavericks were trying to get back in the series after Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets took a 2-0 series lead. The Mavericks were holding a slim two-point lead in the final possession.

Given that they had one more foul to give, the Mavs intentionally fouled Melo, but the refs let it go as the Nuggets star drilled the game-winning three. The league immediately announced that the non-call was a mistake by the referees.

3. Scottie Pippen’s late foul on Hubert Davis

The Chicago Bulls were aiming for a fourth NBA title without Michael Jordan, who decided to retire. In the second round between the Bulls and the Knicks, Pippen was in the midst of making a case as the franchise’s next superstar.

However, a terrible call by referee Hue Hollins sent Hubert Davis to the line after he somehow saw Pippen foul Davis while taking a shot from beyond the arc. The Bulls’ four-peat hopes were washed away, and Pippen would have to wait until Jordan’s return to get back to the Finals.

2. Marcus Camby’s foul on Steve Nash

Unlike most situations in this list, this one wasn’t as crucial. However, it was a head-scratching call in an official NBA game, let alone in the playoffs. Suns guard Steve Nash, who was guarded by Brandon Roy, was preparing a hand-off to Amar’e Stoudemire. Despite Marcus Camby being far away from Nash, Joey Crawford blew the whistle against Camby, whom he claims to have fouled Nash.

Everyone was in shock, including Nash himself as he took free throws. The Suns would go on to beat the Blazers in six games in the 2010 playoffs.

1. Final 13 seconds of Thunder-Spurs Game 2

In the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2016 playoffs, the Thunder got past the Spurs in six games. However, their Game 2 was quite controversial as the league admitted that the referees missed a total of five potential calls in the last 13 seconds of the game.

Among the illegal plays that occurred, none were bigger than the noncall on LaMarcus Aldridge’s game-winning layup attempt while the Thunder's Serge Ibaka was holding his jersey. The Thunder escaped with a 98-97 victory in controversial fashion.