The NBA’s decision to uphold a controversial foul call against Moses Moody proved pivotal in the Golden State Warriors’ narrow loss to the Phoenix Suns on March 14, 2024. With the score tied at 98 and just 0.4 seconds left in regulation, Moody was penalized for a foul against Suns guard Jordan Goodwin, who subsequently made the game-winning free throw, leading to a final score of 99-98 in favor of Phoenix.
The incident unfolded after Goodwin attempted a shot following a rebound from a missed attempt by Dillon Brooks. Moody, positioned nearby, reached to contest the shot and was assessed a foul for making contact with Goodwin. Following the game, the NBA conducted an internal review and determined that the foul was warranted, citing that Moody’s contact extended beyond the ball to Goodwin’s head and neck area.
In the NBA’s daily report, officials stated, “Although Moody (GSW) makes contact to the ball, he also makes more than marginal contact to Goodwin’s (PHX) head/neck area and to his arm.” The league’s review included an assessment of 14 fouls and no-calls that occurred in the final two minutes, concluding that the officiating was accurate in each case.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed disbelief regarding the timing of the foul. He remarked, “It’s hard to believe the game was decided on that call. A shot that hits the side of the backboard, and the guys behind the bench said Moses got all ball. Everybody’s tangled up. It better be a foul to decide the game on a play like that.” His frustration reflects a broader sentiment among fans and players regarding late-game officiating.
Despite committing 20 turnovers that allowed the Suns to capitalize with 30 points off those mistakes, the Warriors were positioned for a potential victory or at least to force overtime. This loss marked their third consecutive defeat, raising concerns as they head into a rematch against the same Suns on March 16 at Chase Center.
As Golden State seeks to end its losing streak, the focus will be on improving their performance, particularly in managing turnovers and late-game execution. The upcoming game presents an opportunity for redemption, as the Warriors strive to regain their competitive edge in the Western Conference.
