Sunday night’s overtime thriller between the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets featured a scene that talked about the NBA for a while, mostly on the Sixers’ defense.

Hornets star LaMelo Ball was whistled for a foul when he tried to steal the ball from Sixers rookie Jared McCain in overtime. For a moment, McCain was headed to the line, but the Hornets decided to challenge the play in hopes of robbing McCain of the opportunity to make a free throw.

After a lengthy review process, authorities rejected the initial call. As expected, the Sixers and home fans at the Wells Fargo Center were not happy about this.

Crew Chief after the match announced his decision to withdraw the call.

“After reviewing the replay review, it was clear and conclusive that LaMelo Ball deflected the ball with his left hand prior to any contact occurring,” Sunday Crew Chief Courtney Kirkland said. “We were able to turn down the call because it was clear and definitive. … This was not a foul because (LaMelo Ball) legally deflected the ball away from the offensive player.”

on monday, NBA releases L2M report About the play, which includes a paragraph-long explanation of why Ball’s stealing of McCain was actually legal.

“With the ball in McCain’s path in a legal defensive position, McCain attempts a basketball move to go around him and create body contact. He simultaneously reaches forward and knocks the ball out of McCain’s control. The body contact that appears to be a foul on the play is largely created by McCain running toward Ball. And although Ball reaches McCain’s path, he does not illegally impede McCain’s progress because he reaches the ball and dislodges it.”

The NBA doesn’t always defend its officials’ decisions regarding the reports, but the league stands behind the initial overturning of the call.

Fortunately for the Sixers, that doesn’t matter. They already had a tight victory in overtime.

Sixers defeated Hornets 107-105. McCain finished the match with 27 points in 31 minutes of play. Ball scored 38 points in 40 minutes. While the Hornets improved to 4-6 this season, the Sixers got their second win at home for the first time this year.

The 76ers will take to the field once again on Tuesday to host the New York Knicks in the first NBA Cup match of the 2024-2025 NBA season.