NBA fans already calling for refs to be 'fired' as official misses blatant violation

Sian JonesFri, October 23, 2026 at 11:16 AM UTC

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LaMelo Ball was at the center of a bizarre officiating controversy -Credit:Getty Images (Getty Images)

NBA fans have called for a referee to be 'fired' after an official missed a blatant violation by LaMelo Ball.

Ball was at the center of a bizarre officiating controversy during Minnesota's 131-106 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night. After collecting the ball, the Timberwolves point guard took several steps backward to get behind the three-point line before sinking a shot from beyond the arc.

The officials allowed the basket to stand without calling a travel, leaving the ESPN broadcast team stunned. Replays appeared to show Ball taking multiple steps after picking up his dribble, sparking immediate debate over why the violation went unpunished.

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"Ref needs to be fired w-- was that" said one fan on X. "These refs are a joke. He was right there and still didn't call it," added another.

A third user said: "Bro legit the most insane travel I’ve ever seen. They gotta tighten that s--- up". While a fourth person added: "That’s not a travel, that’s an entire journey."

"Bro really covered half the court in three steps and still tried to act like it was legal," a fifth fan said. "Man, I’m a Wolves fan, but this is why I just don’t watch the NBA as often as I used to. Nothing matters" added a sixth user.

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Even Lonzo Ball, LaMelo's older brother, appeared to call him out over the controversial play. "Travel l---," the older Ball brother wrote

Asked about his brother's reaction during a postgame interview with ESPN, Ball jokingly accused Lonzo of not having his back. "He's hating. He's hating," Ball said. "See, I gotta give him a call right now, cause with the family, he knows what you're supposed to do. Even if I'm wrong, I'm right. That's how it goes."

Ball also defended the play, explaining why he did not believe it should have been called a travel. "If you watch, I let the ball guide," he said. The 2022 NBA All-Star argued that he should have been allowed to take extra steps because he was not in contact with the ball throughout the movement.

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The NBA Referees Association addressed the controversial incident on Thursday, admitting officials had missed a clear traveling violation.

"For everyone asking, 'how is this legal?' It's not!" the referees' union wrote in a post on X. "He gathers with his right foot on the floor and would be permitted two steps by rule (left-right). He takes four steps after gathering the ball and travels."

Ball's controversial three-pointer broke a 39-39 tie, but the shot ultimately had little impact on the result. Ball finished with 21 points.

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Source: “AOL Sports”