The San Antonio Spurs are well-regarded as one of the most elite franchises in all of sports. They have been a model of consistency over the last two decades, serving as an example of how a well-run organization should look like.

However, even the best of teams and their players can sometimes show a slight lapse in judgment every now and then. That was certainly the case tonight for veteran center LaMarcus Aldridge after he mistakenly passed the ball to a referee rather than his own teammate during the second quarter of their matchup versus the Portland Trailblazers.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Grizzlies EVP/GM Zach Kleiman, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mikal Bridges, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Why Grizzlies should explore Mikal Bridges trade with KnicksChris Dodson ·
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) dribbles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half during game three of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Pacers’ Myles Turner gets 100% real on 2-2 NBA Finals vs. ThunderBenedetto Vitale ·
Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrate during the second half of game five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton gives eye-opening Aaron Nesmith endorsement before Game 5Josue Pavon ·
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau looks on prior to game six of the eastern conference finals against the Indiana Pacers for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Bobby Portis suggests Knicks should crawl back to Tom ThibodeauPreston Byers ·
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) reacts after a basket during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum.
Grizzlies rumors: How Desmond Bane trade could lead to top-10 draft pickMalik Brown ·
Connecticut Huskies forward Liam McNeeley (30) reacts during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Lenovo Center.
Brooklyn Nets’ perfect outcome for No. 19 pick in 2025 NBA DraftRohan Brahmbhatt ·

In all fairness, the grey and black of the Spurs jerseys do look awfully similar to the uniforms of NBA referees, especially in the heat of the moment. Either way, fans courtside certainly got their money's worth after receiving the sweet kick-out from Aldridge.

Fortunately, the mistake did not come back to later haunt the Spurs in what was a nail-biter of a game with Portland. The Spurs managed to escape from the Moda Center with a clutch 93-91 victory.

Meanwhile, Aldridge enjoyed yet another solid outing with 22 points on an efficient 10-of-17 shooting to go with eight rebounds and three blocks. Interestingly enough, he also managed to commit a game-high five turnovers.