The National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA), the official union of NBA officials, responded to the controversial traveling no-call by Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball, indicating that it should have been ruled as an infraction.
“For everyone asking, ‘how is this legal?’ It’s not!” the NBRA posted Thursday, Oct. 22 from its social media account. “He gathers with his right foot on the floor and would be permitted two steps by rule (left-right). He takes four steps after gathering the ball and travels.”
The play occurred with 8:19 left in the second quarter of Minnesota’s game against the Miami Heat. With the game tied at 39, Ball slipped past a screen toward the right side of the floor. Ball picked up his dribble and then took a gather step by shuffling to his right. The issue is that Ball then took four lateral steps before beginning his shooting motion. He would go on to lace the 3-pointer, one of his five successful conversions on the night.
For everyone asking, “how is this legal?” It’s not! He gathers with his right foot on the floor and would be permitted two steps by rule (left-right). He takes four steps after gathering the ball and travels. https://t.co/dSitGeRNSD
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) October 22, 2026
The Timberwolves won the game, 131-106, spoiling the Heat debut of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
When reached for comment on the no-call, the NBA referred USA TODAY Sports to the statement issued by the NBRA.
This was the latest controversial traveling no-call early in the 2026-27 season. On opening night Tuesday, Oct. 20, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shuffled his pivot foot on a converted field goal, drawing a number of critical comments from fans and viewers on social media.
During the preseason, Boston Celtics guard Hugo González was on his way to an uncontested layup on a fast break when he collected the ball at the 3-point line and then took five steps before laying it in. That play was also not called for a travel.
The NBA and its officiating staff review every play during the season and assess the enforcement of its rules, so they may opt to take a closer look should they deem it a larger issue. At this point, however, the gather step and travels have not risen to that level.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Referees Association weighs in on LaMelo Ball's traveling no-call