Warriors Scandal: Phantom Foul vs Spurs

Warriors Vs Spurs

'The Phantom Foul: How the 2013 Warriors Were Robbed Against the Spurs'

The 2013 Western Conference Semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs was supposed to be a changing of the guard. Instead, it became one of the most controversial playoff series in NBA history—a game allegedly stolen by a phantom foul call that still haunts Dub Nation to this day.

The Setup: David vs. Goliath

The Warriors, led by the baby-faced assassin Stephen Curry and sharpshooter Klay Thompson, had already shocked the basketball world by upsetting the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Their high-octane 'Splash Brothers' offense was a perfect foil for the disciplined, old-school Spurs, led by future Hall of Famers Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili.

The series was electric—Golden State stole Game 1 in San Antonio, and after a back-and-forth battle, it all came down to Game 6 in Oakland. With the Spurs up 3-2, the Warriors fought desperately to force a Game 7.

The Crime: The Phantom Foul

With 28 seconds left in overtime, the Warriors led 97-96. The Spurs had the ball, and Manu Ginóbili drove baseline, flinging up a wild shot that missed badly. But as the rebound bounced away, referee Ken Mauer blew his whistle.

Foul on Draymond Green.

Replays showed Green had barely touched Ginóbili—if at all. The crowd erupted in fury. Ginóbili, an 84% free-throw shooter, calmly sank both to put the Spurs up 98-97. The Warriors never recovered, losing 99-97, and the Spurs closed them out in Game 7.

The Smoking Gun: NBA Admits Mistake

The next day, the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report confirmed what everyone already knew: the foul call was incorrect. No contact had occurred. The league essentially admitted the Warriors had been robbed of a chance to force Game 7.

The Aftermath: A Dynasty Denied?

Would the Warriors have won Game 7 in San Antonio? We’ll never know. But many believe that phantom call altered NBA history:

The Spurs went on to the Finals, where they almost won Game 6 against Miami before Ray Allen’s infamous three-pointer.

The Warriors, instead of gaining confidence from a deep playoff run, had to wait another year before breaking through.

Some even speculate: If the Warriors had beaten the Spurs, would they have accelerated their dynasty a year earlier? Would Mark Jackson have kept his job instead of Steve Kerr taking over?

The Conspiracy Theories

Veteran Bias: Some believe referees subconsciously favored the experienced Spurs over the upstart Warriors.

NBA’s Preferred Narrative: The league allegedly wanted a Spurs-Heat Finals rematch after 2013’s classic.

Draymond’s Reputation: Green was already seen as a physical player—did refs assume he fouled even when he didn’t?

The Lingering Questions

To this day, Warriors fans wonder: What if that call had never been made? Would Golden State’s dynasty have started sooner? Would the Spurs have one less ring?

One thing’s for sure—the 2013 Warriors were victims of one of the most infamous no-calls in playoff history. And in true crime fashion, the real culprit may never face justice.

Case still open. 🔍

Warriors Scandal: Phantom Foul vs Spurs

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