'Dumbest rule in sports': Warriors survive as controversy erupts in NBA Finals
Game five of the NBA finals was the height of drama - and two crucial calls late in the final quarter could have swayed everything.
The Golden State Warriors won a tense game five to extend their series against the Toronto Raptors to at least a sixth game, 106-105.
Despite the win, two crucial calls against big man DeMarcus Cousins threatened to take the game away from the defending champions.
First, with less than two minutes to play, Cousins skied for an offensive rebound and slam, only to have it controversially waved off as a goaltend.
Just one minute later, Cousins was whistled again for a turnover, this time on a moving screen as he attempted to free up superstar shooter Steph Curry.
NBA fans were on the edge of their seat for that final two minutes, as the Raptors were gifted two chances to win the game, including getting the final shot with 15 seconds left to play.
Down by one, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry was forced to hoist up an ugly three-pointer, which missed everything and sent the series back to Golden State one more time.
NBA fans had mixed reviews for Cousins’ performance, with many speculating the controversial big man would be breathing a sigh of relief with the Warriors scraping a win on the road.
My monthly complaint that offensive goaltending is one of the dumbest rules in all of sports.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) June 11, 2019
Demarcus Cousins really snuck in a goaltend and an offensive foul in the last minute and the warriors still won
— Omar Sanchez (@OhMySanchez) June 11, 2019
Also. Can we talk about DeMarcus Cousins for a second? He was just totally mystified that they called a moving screen and goaltending on him, both of which were maybe the most obvious calls in the history of the game. He went back to the bench and said “I was moving?”
Yeah.— Robby Stanley (@RStanleyNHL) June 11, 2019
Demarcus Cousins would've never lived down the final two minutes if Lowry hit that shot.
Great work from the Raptors to find him open ... but man, one shot to put the dagger in the Warriors dynasty and you completely air ball it. That's rough.— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) June 11, 2019
Kyle Lowry Demarcus Cousins and Draymond Green just ended that game in perfect Kyle Lowry Demarcus Cousins and Draymond Green fashion
— Benjamin Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) June 11, 2019
If DeMarcus Cousins is what dooms the 2018-19 Warriors, I am going to laugh for the rest of 2019 and 2020.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) June 11, 2019
Kevin Durant injury shocks Warriors, NBA
Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant made a shock return to the line-up on Tuesday after being sidelined with a strained right calf since last month.
However things went horribly wrong in the second quarter when Durant limped off the court after aggravating the injury.
KD appeared to step on Serge Ibaka’s foot and went down in immediate pain.
The Warriors said Durant would not return to the game and an MRI was scheduled Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury.
Durant shouted an expletive as he left the floor, his frustration obvious.
Durant had been cleared by the Warriors' medical staff after Game 4, and participated in both a practice session Sunday and a shootaround practice earlier Monday.