Sixers lose on controversial ending to Clippers in James Harden's return to Philly

PHILADELPHIA — As expected, James Harden was Public Enemy No. 1 during his return to the Wells Fargo Center in a Los Angeles Clippers uniform on Wednesday night. But the man who refused to play for the 76ers this season and his teammates celebrated at the end after a controversial 108-107 victory over the 76ers.

It was controversial because a foul should have been called on the Clippers’ Paul George on the game’s final play, according to the crew chief of the officials.

The Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. drove the lane, appeared to be fouled by George and had his shot blocked by Kawhi Leonard as the buzzer sounded. That led to Sixers coach Nick Nurse storming the court, yelling at the official. Oubre was also furious with the no-call.

“On the floor in real time to the crew, the crew interpreted that play as the defender jumping vertically,” crew chief Kevin Scott said after the game. “However, in postgame video review, we did observe some slight drift to his left by the defender, George, and a foul should have been ruled.”

Instead of having Oubre going to the foul line with the chance to win the game, the Sixers suffered their fourth loss in five games. They also dropped to 39-34 with nine games remaining. Meanwhile, the Clippers improved to 45-27.

“First and foremost, heat of the moment, this is an intense basketball game, we are not perfect,” Oubre said. “The refs are not perfect. I want to apologize for losing my cool, because that’s something I work on each and every day and I try to represent God in the best way I possibly can and that wasn’t it.

“So I just ask for forgiveness. But I saw Coach Nurse getting riled up. And if our coach is going to fight for us, and he’s going there, then I’m right behind him. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t cool. So I’ll take whatever penalties that come with that.”

Crazy ending

Leonard’s three-point play gave the Clippers a 105-104 lead with 44 seconds remaining. But Buddy Hield responded with a three-pointer, on the ensuing possession, to put the Sixers up, 107-105.

The Clippers called a timeout with 22.7 seconds left. That led to Leonard scoring another three-point play to put LA back up 108-107 with 15.7 seconds remaining.

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