NBA: Donovan Mitchell’s Game-Tying Shot Shouldn’t Have Counted

The NBA said the miracle putback by guard Donovan Mitchell against the Bulls on Monday was a violation and should have been waved off.

For the past several years, the league has released a “Last Two-Minute Report” for the purpose of transparency and critiquing the officiating. Mitchell purposely missed the second of two free throws with the Cavs trailing by two points with 4.7 seconds left in regulation.

He swooped in to follow the missed shot, leaving just 3 seconds on the clock and sending the game into overtime. Mitchell then finished with a franchise-record 71 points and the Cavs won.

Players who are shooting a free throw cannot move in front of the foul line until the ball reaches the basket. Mitchell apparently left too soon.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan predicted that the Last Two-Minute Report would prove all of that, but added it doesn’t really do any good.

“It doesn’t do anything,” Donovan told reporters. “It’s like, ‘We’re sorry.’ … That’s unfortunate, because I thought our guys battled and competed.”

The Bulls blew a 21-point lead and wasted a 44-point performance from forward DeMar DeRozan in the loss, their second to the Cavs in three nights.

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