In a dramatic turn of events late Thursday night, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver imposed what was briefly the highest fine ever levied on referees in league history — before abruptly withdrawing it just hours later — following a game mired in officiating controversy between the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The fines were directed at four referees who officiated the nationally televised game, which ended in a narrow 112–110 victory for the Knicks after a series of what analysts and fans have called “blatantly missed calls” and “game-altering officiating errors” in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Key Incidents Under Review:
A missed goaltending call on a critical Stephen Curry layup with 45 seconds remaining.
A phantom foul called on Draymond Green that led to game-winning free throws by Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
Clock mismanagement that appeared to favor New York in the final possession, leading to widespread confusion among players and fans.
After an internal review and mounting pressure on social media, Silver announced a fine totaling $500,000 split between the four officials — the largest collective fine ever imposed on NBA referees.
However, in a stunning reversal just hours later, Silver retracted the fines in a formal statement released by the league:
“While the mistakes made in last night’s game between the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks were significant, after further consultation with our officiating review board, the NBA has decided to rescind the previously announced fines. We acknowledge human error and will prioritize further training and accountability measures moving forward.”
The reversal sparked mixed reactions across the league. Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, visibly frustrated after the game, said, “It’s disappointing. Accountability shouldn’t be conditional. We played our hearts out and got robbed in the final minute.”
NBA veteran and TNT analyst Charles Barkley weighed in on-air: “You can’t keep sweeping this under the rug. Either the refs are held to a standard, or we’re just pretending the games are fair.”
Meanwhile, the National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA) issued a strong statement defending the officials and applauding the league’s decision to rescind the fines, calling the original penalty “disproportionate and reactionary.”
What’s Next?
Commissioner Silver has promised a full review of officiating standards and hinted at the possibility of introducing real-time officiating corrections or expanded coach’s challenges next season.
As the debate rages on, the NBA finds itself at a crossroads — one where technology, human judgment, and the integrity of the game are all colliding under the brightest spotlight.
