The NBL has conceded its officials missed a goaltending call that would have given Perth Wildcats two crucial points in their gut-wrenching one-point semifinal defeat to Melbourne United on Tuesday night.
The Wildcats were bundled out of the playoffs after the epic game three at John Cain Arena, but had clear claims to a goaltending call against United’s Marcus Lee with 2:22 remaining and scores level.
They went on to lose 113-112 after a frantic finish where veteran skipper Jesse Wagstaff briefly levelled the scores with a clutch three-pointer.
The NBL released a statement on Wednesday morning admitting the call against Lee off Ben Henshall’s shot was missed. Henshall’s shot had touched the backboard and was above the rim before Lee got his hand to it.
“The NBL acknowledges there was a missed goaltending call during the fourth quarter of last night’s Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats Playoff game,” the league confirmed.
Rubbing salt into the wound, Lee was then fouled just five seconds later and made a free throw to put Melbourne in front.
“I had a view of it but I’ll have to put the game on my computer and make sure my eyes were telling me what I felt in that moment. It’ll be interesting reviewing,” Wildcats coach John Rillie said post-game.
The Wildcats will now be forced to watch the grand final series — between United and either Illawarra or South East Melbourne — from afar next week. Perth players return to Perth on Wednesday.
“You saw our team throughout the season just fight and find ways to win and give yourself a chance to win,” Rillie said.
“That was a tremendous character trait of our team. They got up five with a minute to go. The way we pursued that one possession and offensive rebounds. Wags hit the big three to tie it up. That last minute, you can’t ask for anything more to give yourself a chance like that. Great series. It’s disappointing we’re the losers of it.”
