The Warriors were on the wrong end of multiple key calls down the stretch. It started with Draymond Green fouling out on a fairly soft call along the sideline. Green protested the foul and was fortunate not to receive a technical.
“These refs indeed suck. How is that a foul on Draymond?” one fan said.
After Green fouled out, Brandin Podziemski was called for a foul on a play that many fans believed was a clean block.
Shortly after, Kevon Looney was whistled for a foul on a play where he had minimal involvement. Moses Moody grabbed a rebound and was clearly shoved by Memphis big man Zach Edey, who had five fouls. But the officials assessed the foul to Looney and Edey went to the line. He knocked down both free throws, trimming the Warriors’ lead to just one with 14 seconds left.
“The Warriors have definitely benefited from some calls in this game, but good lord, the Grizzlies have been GIFTED some calls in the final minute,” a fan said. “An obviously clean block and then whatever the hell they called on that rebound. These refs are drunk tonight or have Memphis moneyline.”
Another fan added: “Podz had a clean block and no foul on Looney. I don’t know what they are watching. Refs trying to give the Grizzlies the win. Ridiculous.”
With 5.1 seconds remaining and the Grizzlies trailing 119-116, it looked like Memphis would have a shot to tie the game. But a five-second violation was called, giving the ball back to Golden State and sparking outrage from Grizzlies fans over the officiating.
“This honestly might have been the worst officiated game of the year. Wasn’t 5 seconds, and even if it was, the refs usually would swallow that whistle to not decide the outcome of a game,” a fan said.
Another added, “Those refs gotta be investigated they called a 5 seconds when it appeared more like 3. Horrendous stuff.”
The Warriors pulled out the victory 121-116 and will face the Houston Rockets in the first round.