In a stunning turn of events following one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the NBA has officially acknowledged multiple officiating errors that occurred during the final moments of Game 2 between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The league’s Last Two Minute Report, released on Tuesday morning, confirmed that referees missed two critical lane violations during the final minute — both of which directly influenced the outcome of the game.
What Happened?
With the Cavaliers holding a narrow lead and just under 40 seconds remaining, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburtonstepped to the line for a pair of free throws. He missed the second attempt, but in a chaotic sequence, Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith appeared to enter the lane early and secured the offensive rebound.
Seconds later, Haliburton drained a step-back three-pointer to give Indiana a one-point lead — a moment that would ultimately serve as the game-winner.
According to the NBA’s report, not only did Nesmith commit a lane violation, but so did a Cavaliers player, creating what should have resulted in a jump ball at center court under league rules. The officials, however, allowed play to continue, and the Pacers capitalized.
League Statement
In its official release, the NBA stated:
“Upon review, multiple violations of rule 9.1.a occurred during the final free throw attempt. Lane violations were committed by both teams, which should have resulted in an immediate stoppage of play and a jump ball situation. The continuation of play was in error.”
The league stopped short of assigning blame to any specific referee but acknowledged the magnitude of the error.
Fan & Analyst Reactions
The news sparked immediate outrage on social media and sports talk shows across the country. Cavaliers fans, in particular, expressed frustration that such a high-stakes game — in a tied series — was potentially decided by a blown call.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called it “a disaster for the league,” adding:
“In the playoffs, you can’t miss these calls. This is the difference between 1-1 and 2-0. And in a series this close, that could mean everything.”
Fallout for the Cavaliers
With the Pacers taking a 2–0 series lead, the Cavaliers suddenly found themselves on the brink. Game 3 was set to take place in Indiana, where the Pacers had a near-perfect home record throughout the postseason.
Cavs star Donovan Mitchell, who had 34 points in the loss, declined to directly comment on the officiating but made a pointed remark postgame:
“You tell me what happened. I’ll let y’all be the judges.”
Bigger Picture
The incident reignites the ongoing debate about instant replay, referee accountability, and officiating consistency in the NBA Playoffs. While the league’s transparency with the Last Two Minute Reports has been praised, critics argue that postgame admissions do little to correct the immediate damage done on the court.
Former NBA referee Steve Javie weighed in on NBA TV:
“You hate to see it, but it’s the kind of thing that haunts a series — and a team — long after the buzzer.”
What’s Next?
Game 3 was set to tip off in Indianapolis with the Pacers leading 2–0. Whether the Cavaliers could rally from behind — and whether officiating would again play a decisive role — became a central narrative heading into the weekend.
One thing is certain: this series, already intense, just got a whole lot hotter.
