Report: NBA missed Kobe Bryant foul on Ricky Rubio
With time running out and the Lakers up by three, Kobe Bryant blocked Ricky Rubio’s three-point attempt at the buzzer — or so it seemed.
The Lakers left Minnesota on Wednesday with a 120-117 victory over the Wolves, but Bryant got away with a favorable non-call.
According to the Associated Press, the NBA has told the Timberwolves on Thursday that the foul was missed, and that Rubio should have been given three free-throw attempts.
Bryant had dismissed the notion after the game Wednesday.
“They ain’t calling that,” said the Lakers’ All-Star guard. “I don’t think I got him. That’s a tough call to make. I just put my hand there. It’s not like I went out and smacked him across the arm or anything like that.”
Rubio would have needed to make three straight at the line to have tied the game.
“We would have went into overtime and won the game,” said Bryant.
The Lakers recently lost in Atlanta on a similar non-call. Hawks guard Dahntay Jones stepped under Bryant during his potential game-tying shot. No foul was called as Bryant missed the shot but landed on Jones’ foot, severely spraining his ankle.
The NBA admitted the missed call the following day, but the Hawks still got the victory — and the Wolves still won’t get their three free throws.
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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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