First Stephen Curry, now Kevin Durant.
The Oklahoma City Thunder forward was the latest victim of NBA referee Joey Crawford on Tuesday night, who this time disrupted Durant’s rhythm before a crucial free throw attempt in Game 5 of Oklahoma City’s NBA playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
With 27.5 seconds remaining in overtime and the Thunder trailing 100-98, Durant headed to the line for two big free throws and knocked down the first. As Durant prepared to take his second shot, however, Crawford suddenly blew his whistle and came scampering out from the baseline to snatch away the ball just as Durant was about to shoot. Check out a video of the odd play below.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9nI4zlEW2A&w=640&h=360]
Apparently Crawford stopped Durant to fix a problem with the scoreboard at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Whatever the case, the Thunder star seemed a bit out of rhythm after having the ball stolen from him and missed his second free throw to keep the score at 100-99 Grizzlies.
Durant missed a desperation three-point try on the next possession, and the Grizzlies held on to take a 3-2 series lead in what was the fourth consecutive overtime game of the series.
Stephen Curry feels your pain, Kevin.
For another angle of the bizarre sequence, see the GIF below, courtesy of @JDonSports.
