Warriors Suffer Controversial OT Loss to Minnesota

Kevin Durant arguing with a referee in 2017. Photo by Robert John Herbert/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

The Golden State Warriors lost a 18-point lead at halftime in an overtime loss to the Timberwolves which was ripe with controversy.

Golden State felt cheated by the referees after several controversial calls in crunch time on Friday night.

The Warriors’ loss saw them lose their slight advantage over the Denver Nuggets for the #1 seed in the Western Conference. Both teams are now tied with a 51-24 record, with 6 games left to go in the season. Either team has an equal chance of winning home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Warriors were especially upset after Friday’s game because they felt that they were unfairly treated by the officials. The team was especially upset with a “phantom” foul call as time expired in overtime. At this point, the two teams were tied 130-130.

Referee Marat Korgut called a foul on Kevin Durant after a lob pass to Wolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite the contact on the play, the ball appeared to have been traveling far over Towns’ head and out of bounds.

Nonetheless, a fall was called and the Warriors watched helplessly as Towns made one of two free throws to seal a win for Minnesota.

Golden State will attempt to get back some momentum in their next game against Charlotte on Sunday night.