Nae’Qwan Tomlin of the Cleveland Cavaliers unintentionally directed a jump ball into his own hoop, giving the Minnesota Timberwolves two points in a 146–134 victory for the Cavs.
The Cleveland Cavaliers might have triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night — yet for one strange instance, they also tallied points for the rival team.
In a moment likely unprecedented in NBA history, during the 146–134 victory for the Cavs against the T’Wolves, Cleveland forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin accomplished something seldom witnessed: he inadvertently tipped a jump ball directly into his own hoop.
A contested ball? I suppose it ended up being more of a jump shot… aimed at the incorrect basket.
This wasn’t the initial toss. It resulted from a jump ball at the foul line with 3:34 left.
Tomlin jumped at Julius Randle, delivered a solid, powerful tap — and watched the ball ricochet off the glass and fall perfectly through the net.
According to NBA regulations, if a defensive player inadvertently scores in his own hoop, the points are awarded to the offensive player nearest to the basket. That distinction went to Naz Reid, who was merely positioned below.
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Two items. No effort at all. Probably the simplest basket of Reid’s career
The unintentional score slightly reduced Cleveland’s advantage from 136–119 to 136–121, but it ultimately did not affect the result. However, it produced one of the oddest box-score anomalies you’ll encounter all season.
Tomlin ended the evening with four points for Cleveland and two for Minnesota, contributing as a scorer for both teams.
At 25, Tomlin has established himself as a valuable bench player for the Cavs in a challenging season, averaging 6.1 points and 3.0 rebounds in 15.2 minutes. Yet Saturday’s event will be remembered not for the production but for sheer NBA ridiculousness.
A single leap. Single touch. An unforgettable personal basket.