The NBA said Lakers-Grizzlies went an extra minute due to clock error. It’s an egregious mistake in 2024

In 2024, the NBA’s inability to properly manage a basic 48-minute game clock, or more specifically, four 12-minute clocks, begs for an explanation. This was evidenced when the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies inadvertently played an additional one minute and six seconds during a recent matchup due to what the league deemed an error. The mishap occurred when, following a shot clock violation, the third-quarter game clock was erroneously set to 2:20 instead of 1:14 by someone, presumably the clock operator. Astonishingly, this error went unnoticed by all parties involved, including the teams, referees, clock operator, and stats crew, until after the fact.

NBA spokesperson Tim Frank, in a statement to The Commercial Appeal, acknowledged the oversight: “The error was not noticed in rrea-time by the teams, the referees, the game clock operator, or the stats crew. While unfortunate, the error was not identified in time to resolve the situation in-game.”

Such oversight is concerning. While errors are inevitable, the absence of protocols to detect and rectify such mistakes is unacceptable, particularly in the modern era of 2024. This incident is particularly worrisome given the NBA’s heightened scrutiny due to its proximity to sports betting.

Setting aside the implications for gambling, this error carries significant ramifications. In a game where the Grizzlies secured a one-point lead with precisely 1:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, the additional time could have been decisive in determining the outcome. Ultimately, the Lakers capitalized on this extra time, closing the game with a 6-2 run to secure victory, inching closer to securing the eighth seed in the Western Conference. While it remains speculative, this oversight may have impacted playoff standings.

The scrutiny intensifies when considering the implications for sports betting. The added time potentially altered moneyline bets, as well as wagers on the Lakers’ team total. With LA scoring four points during the extended period, they finished the game with 123 points, just surpassing the over on a total of 121.5.

This incident further erodes public confidence in the integrity of NBA games, particularly in light of recent reports of investigations into betting irregularities involving Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter. It fuels existing suspicions and skepticism, with some within the NBA questioning the proximity of betting to the sport and even the authenticity of game outcomes.