LeBron James’ game-saving block on Victor Oladipo was indeed a goaltend

With the game tied at 95 and only a few seconds left to go, LeBron James chased down Victor Oladipo and pinned his layup on the backboard before eventually hitting an incredible game-winning, buzzer-beating three to take a 3-2 series lead.

There’s just one problem. It was a goaltend and the NBA confirmed that on Thursday.

Here’s a replay of the play. According to the NBA official rule book, a player may not touch the ball: “During a field goal attempt, touch a ball after it has touched the backboard below the ring level and while the ball is on its upward flight.”

It happens fast in real time, but it touches the backboard.

Here’s a closer angle, in slow motion:

Yes, it’s really, really close. But it’s the officials’ job to get those close calls right. And in the event they’re not sure, in the last two minutes of a game, it’s their obligation to review the play and get it right.

Historically, they have but in Game 5 they did not.

According to the NBA’s Instant Replay Trigger Outline, referees have “reviewed situations in which they are not reasonably certain whether a goaltending or basket interference violation was called correctly during the last two minutes of the fourth period and during all of overtime” since the 2012-13 season.

At the same time, goaltending is only reviewable if it is called on the floor. It’s an unfortunate situation that gave birth to an incredible LeBron game-winner.

“Yea I thought it was a goal tend. Then he said. No of course I didn’t think it was a goaltend.”

“I got a step on him [LeBron James] and felt like I even got grabbed on the way to the rim. I tried to shoot a layup, it hit the backboard, then he blocked it. The replays, I guess you guys can see. I guess its a tough play at the time for them. Its a goal tend. Its hard to even soeak on it. It sucks.”

The Cavs and Pacers will face off in Game 6 in Indianapolis on Friday night.