Another perspective: Utah Jazz players believe team should’ve had more time in loss to Kings
Jan 4, 2023, 9:38 AM
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 03: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Arena on January 3, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Tuesday’s game between the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz ended, like last Friday’s, with a game-winning shot.
With less than 15 seconds to go in regulation and tied at 115 apiece, Kings guard De’Aaron Fox took drove towards the basket, sinking a layup to give the Kings a two-point lead.
Courtside view of @swipathefox’s game-winner! #BeamTeam pic.twitter.com/3iTV6MFj4m
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 4, 2023
But, this is where the controversy begins and where Tuesday’s outcome nearly went to the Jazz.
With .04 seconds on the clock, the Jazz inbounded the ball to Lauri Markkanen, who was standing near his team’s three-point line, caught the ball, turned to shoot it over Fox and swished. However, upon review, the shot was waived when officials determined the ball did not leave his hand before the clock expired.
Lauri Markkanen's shot nearly tied the game at the buzzer, but the Kings walked away with the win pic.twitter.com/BVTAAva3n5
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 4, 2023
Eric Walden, Jazz reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune, reported after the game that Jazz players thought there should have been .06 seconds on the clock instead of .04. Sarah Todd, Jazz reporter for the Desert News, tweeted a picture of the clock showing either .05 or .06 after Fox’s layup went in.
Markkanen told Todd and the Desert News it’s impossible to get the time “exactly right.”
“I saw the screenshots saying that there was supposed to be 0.6 left, but with human error, it’s impossible to know exactly when to stop the clock. It’s easy to say from a picture that there should have been 0.2 more and then the shot counts, but in the moment, someone just pressing a button, it’s impossible to get it exactly right.”
I've slowed it down and watched from two different angles…and yeah, I think the ball passes through the net at .6 seconds. pic.twitter.com/WiDe0iu50O
— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) January 4, 2023
After the game, Jazz head coach Will Hardy said he wished his team had a few more tenths of a second to get that shot off.
“I thought Lauri made a break full court and Vando [Jarred Vanderbilt] threw a great pass,” Hardy said. “That’s just a tough break, but heads up play from the guys not to give in and for Lauri to go full court and for us not to settle shooting a 90-foot touch shot.”
