The Pool Report interview was conducted by Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) with Crew Chief Marc Davis following tonight’s Thunder at Timberwolves Game.   

QUESTION:  The play in question was a dunk attempt by Jaden McDaniels with 4:29 left in the second quarter in which he collided with Jalen Williams, who was shaken up on the play.

Why wasn’t the play automatically reviewed for a possible flagrant foul on McDaniels, who appeared to contact Williams’ head. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault challenged the play, so a follow-up is why was the play not deemed a flagrant foul?

DAVIS: On the floor Williams was observed moving from A to B and then illegally contacting McDaniels on the arm, this foul was correctly judged.  There was no doubt by the officials as to McDaniels natural shooting motion. His movements were judged to be a natural basketball play.

QUESTION: It was deemed not to be a flagrant foul because it was a natural basketball play?

DAVIS: By McDaniels there was no wind up or follow through observed, and thus there was no doubt by the on court officials as to the veracity of the original decision.