The Phantom Buzzer Game
Encyclopedia
The Phantom Buzzer Game is the unofficial name of a National Basketball Association
game between the Chicago Bulls
and the Atlanta Hawks
on November 6, 1969 at Chicago Stadium
. The game was famous for referee Bob Rakel disallowing a game-tying basket because he claimed the buzzer sounded, even though there was one second left on the clock, and also for being the first incident where an official protest was upheld by the NBA.
tipped it in to tie the game at 124 with one second left.
However, Rakel waved off Boerwinkle's basket because he claimed he heard the final buzzer go off before it went in.
Bulls coach Dick Motta
and GM Pat Williams
got in Rakel's face and, despite both of them pointing right to the clock on the scoreboard, which showed one second left, and timekeeper Jim Serry flat-out telling Rakel he didn't touch the clock or buzzer, and further proving his, Motta's and Williams's point by flipping the switch to run the clock to zero and allowing the buzzer to sound while the press corps watched him do it, Rakel (and his unnamed officiating partner whom deferred to him despite later stating he didn't hear the buzzer sound either) refused to budge from his ruling and stalked off the court declaring the game over and Atlanta the winners.
upheld the protest. It was the first official protest to be upheld by the NBA, and the only one until 1982.
Unfortunately, when the suspended contest resumed, the clock ran to zero without the buzzer sounding because the timekeeper forgot to set it. Despite Motta's embarrassment and Hawks coach Richie Guerin
's mock protests, the officials working that game declared the second had expired and started the overtime period. The Bulls eventually lost the suspended game 142-137, but at least they felt they lost fairly since their protest was upheld.
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
game between the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
and the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
on November 6, 1969 at Chicago Stadium
Chicago Stadium
The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
. The game was famous for referee Bob Rakel disallowing a game-tying basket because he claimed the buzzer sounded, even though there was one second left on the clock, and also for being the first incident where an official protest was upheld by the NBA.
The Incident
Late in the game with time winding down and Atlanta leading 124-122, the Bulls heaved a desperation shot that bounced off the rim, but Bulls center Tom BoerwinkleTom Boerwinkle
Thomas F. Boerwinkle is a retired National Basketball Association center who spent his entire career with the Chicago Bulls....
tipped it in to tie the game at 124 with one second left.
However, Rakel waved off Boerwinkle's basket because he claimed he heard the final buzzer go off before it went in.
Bulls coach Dick Motta
Dick Motta
John Richard "Dick" Motta is a former basketball coach whose career in the National Basketball Association spanned 25 years, and he continues to rank among the NBA's all-time top 10 in coaching victories....
and GM Pat Williams
Pat Williams (NBA)
Pat Williams is a senior vice president of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, a motivational speaker and former minor league baseball player. Williams--born May 3, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--was raised in Wilmington, Delaware.-Baseball career:...
got in Rakel's face and, despite both of them pointing right to the clock on the scoreboard, which showed one second left, and timekeeper Jim Serry flat-out telling Rakel he didn't touch the clock or buzzer, and further proving his, Motta's and Williams's point by flipping the switch to run the clock to zero and allowing the buzzer to sound while the press corps watched him do it, Rakel (and his unnamed officiating partner whom deferred to him despite later stating he didn't hear the buzzer sound either) refused to budge from his ruling and stalked off the court declaring the game over and Atlanta the winners.
The Protest
Afterwards, Williams immediately filed an official protest with the NBA. After sorting through the evidence, commissioner Walter KennedyWalter Kennedy (NBA)
James Walter Kennedy was the commissioner of the National Basketball Association from 1963 until 1975. He is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Walter J. Kennedy.-Early life:...
upheld the protest. It was the first official protest to be upheld by the NBA, and the only one until 1982.
Playing it Out
The game was ordered to be continued before the Hawks and Bulls's next scheduled game in Chicago with one second left, the game tied, and Atlanta in possession.Unfortunately, when the suspended contest resumed, the clock ran to zero without the buzzer sounding because the timekeeper forgot to set it. Despite Motta's embarrassment and Hawks coach Richie Guerin
Richie Guerin
Richard Vincent "Richie" Guerin is a retired American professional basketball player and coach. The 6'4" Guerin played with the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks from 1956 to 1963 and was a player-coach of the St...
's mock protests, the officials working that game declared the second had expired and started the overtime period. The Bulls eventually lost the suspended game 142-137, but at least they felt they lost fairly since their protest was upheld.