With time running out and the Houston Rockets comfortably ahead by nine points, Chris Paul was dribbling the ball out to complete their road victory on Monday against the Utah Jazz. Seeing the game's situation, a fan seated at courtside raised her hand to give the point guard a high-five.
He obliged by tapping her hand, but was surprised with what the referee did.
Instead of just letting it slip by, the game official called a turnover on the veteran point guard and awarded the possession to the Jazz. Jae Crowder immediately took it and inbounded the ball, so the home team could just dribble out the clock.
Chris Paul really got a turnover for giving James Harden’s mom a high five… 🖐🏽
😂😂😂 (via @HoustonRockets) https://t.co/OaZ3UlY5Wb
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2018
It was revealed after the game that the fan was no ordinary one as it was apparently the mother of James Harden, who only wanted to congratulate Paul for playing very well on the night. The former nine-time All-Star chipped in 15 points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals, to back up the production of The Beard, who top-scored for the Rockets with 26 points, while adding 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals of his own.
The win allowed the Texas team to remain in first place in the Western Conference, half-a-game ahead of the Golden State Warriors. The Rockers currently own a 47-13 record.
While the turnover after the high-five did not change the outcome of the game, it still goes to show that the referees are all business until the final buzzer sounds. Chris Paul did not argue with the call, as he later realized why he was charged with a turnover. If anything, Paul was lucky that his boneheaded play did not affect the outcome of the contest.
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