The Dallas Mavericks lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday night to the last-place team in the NBA’s Western Conference New Orleans Pelicans 119-116. The nature of the defeat is what drew attention, however.

Jan 15, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) blocks the shot of Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night in a 119-116 nailbiter. The key moment of the game came in the final seconds of the fourth quarter when Mavs guard Spencer Dinwiddie, with his team trailing 117-116, got a layup opportunity in transition that would have given Dallas the lead.