Missed Devin Booker foul nearly ruined the NBA Finals

If the Suns had prevailed in Game 4, the NBA Finals would been completely altered and the instant outrage would have spilled over for days.

If the Suns had prevailed in Game 4, the NBA Finals would been completely altered and the instant outrage would have spilled over for days.

When Devin Booker had five fouls in Game 4 against the Bucks – one more would have removed him from the game – the referees missed an obvious call against the star guard. Booker attempted to disrupt a layup attempt from Bucks guard Jrue Holiday. Booker blatantly reached in and clearly fouled his opponent late in the fourth quarter, but the officials decided to let the violation go.

The refs didn’t blow their whistles for a foul on Devin Booker on this play — even Booker couldn’t believe it after he hugged Jrue Holiday 🤦‍♂️

pic.twitter.com/mlER7bAjoM
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) July 15, 2021

“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know,” Holiday said when asked about the non-call.

Added referee James Capers after the game. “During live play, I saw a clean sweep of the ball and thought it was a no call. However, after seeing the replay, I now realize that I missed Booker’s right arm around the waist of Holiday, and it should have been a defensive foul on the play.”

Devin Booker appears to foul Jrue Holiday in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

This moment nearly changed the NBA Finals, as Booker – who led all players with 42 points on 17-for-28 shooting – was able to continue in the game. Nonetheless, courtesy of a brilliant and critical block from Giannis Antetokounmpo – who thought “[he] was going to get dunked on, to be honest” – and some big shots by Khris Middleton the Bucks held on for a 109-103 win to tie the series 2-2.

“Going down the stretch, we kept believing in ourselves. We kept executing,” Antetokounmpo said. “We wanted this bad, and the team showed it tonight. But we got to keep getting better.”

NBA players and reporters took to Twitter to share their feelings on the missed call.

How’s that not a foul…
— Immanuel Jaylen Quickley (@IQ_GodSon) July 15, 2021

Wow no foul there sheesh …
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) July 15, 2021

Yeah I wouldn’t make that call either D-Book had 5 fouls ain’t no way I’m not letting him finish this game
— Jordan Bell (@1jordanbell) July 15, 2021

after that no-call Booker could get Stone Cold Stunnered into a People's Elbow into a Tombstone into an RKO into getting thrown off the Hell in a Cell cage and the refs aren't giving him shit.
— Khris Wobbleton (@WorldWideWob) July 15, 2021

One of the all time no calls on Booker’s 6th foul. Legendary stuff. He actually fouled him twice!!!!
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 15, 2021

The referees deliberating if they want to allow Devin Booker to get 7 or 8 fouls this game… pic.twitter.com/645LwHRc2p
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) July 15, 2021

Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Finals will take place in Phoenix Saturday night at 9 p.m. The home team has won each of the first four games in the series.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:David Lazar