NBA Hawk-Eye technology changed 2 huge calls in playoffs for the better
Aaron Gordon’s buzzer-beater dunk was made possible by new NBA technology changing reviews The NBA signed an agreement with Hawk-Eye tracking technology in March of 2023 in an attempt to bring more accuracy to replay reviews. Hawk-Eye had already revolutionized soccer as the company behind VAR, with automated offside and goal line calls being adopted by FIFA, while also replacing line judges at major tournaments in tennis. The technology is now making a similar impact on the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Hawk-Eye was used to make two game-changing calls in the first-round of the NBA Playoffs over the weekend. On Saturday, it was used to confirm that Aaron Gordon’s game-winning dunk at the buzzer of Game 4 of the Denver Nuggets-Los Angeles Clippers series actually went through the net in net. On Sunday, it was used to overturn a late turnover by Anthony Edwards, which was changed to a foul by LeBron James. Edwards sank the ensuing free throws to give the Wolves a 3-1 series lead. Gordon’s dunk is one of the most remarkable buzzer-beaters in NBA history — and it was impossible to tell if it should have counted in real time. The Nuggets forward caught an airball from Nikola Jokic and slammed it through the rim at the buzzer. Even Jokic appeared skeptical that the shot counted as he seemingly prepared for overtime. Instead, Hawk-Eye showed that Gordon dunked the ball a millisecond before the regulation buzzer, allowing the Nuggets to tie the series 2-2. Here’s the clip of Gordon’s game-winning dunk including a look at the Hawk-Eye view that determined it was good. At the end of Q4 of tonight’s #DENatLAC game, Replay Center officials confirmed the ruling of a good basket by the Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon: pic.twitter.com/BxB4j7TFs8— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) April 27, 2025 The ending of Wolves-Lakers Game 4 was almost as dramatic. Los Angeles led by 10 entering the fourth quarter in a must-win game because they were already down 2-1 in the series. Minnesota slowly chipped away behind the incredible play of Anthony Edwards, some timely shot-making from Naz Reid, and a devastating defense. Minnesota was up one point with 10 seconds left when Edwards drove and was stripped by LeBron. The refs called it Lakers ball, which seemed obvious enough, but Wolves coach Chris Finch challenged the call. It wasn’t until the Hawk-Eye view that you could see James clearly fouled Edwards on the top of the hand. Edwards sank two free throws, the Wolves won the game after Austin Reaves’ last-second three to tie missed. Here’s a look at the foul and the Hawk-Eye view. Here’s the foul with LeBron hacking Anthony Edwards across the wrist pic.twitter.com/sCIeUzQCib— MissingLinkShowYo (@realMattMcClary) April 27, 2025 In both cases, the call on the floor could have been wrong without the help of technology. If these calls go the other way, it’s possible the Clippers are up 3-1 on the Nuggets, and Lakers-Wolves is tied 2-2. Instead, Nuggets-Clippers is tied while the Wolves have a commanding 3-1 lead over LA. Hawk-Eye’s tracking technology is designed to capture player and ball movement in three dimensions in real time. The use of aerial cameras with vertical shots of plays gives officials a new look at what’s happening and helps them make more accurate calls. If there’s one thing sports fans can agree on, it’s that reviews are annoying because of how much they slow the game down. At the same time, it’s important that the right call gets made in the final seconds with the game on the line. Hawk-Eye helped the NBA get these calls right. This Hawk-Eye 3D optical tracking technology above angle played the key role in Aaron Gordon’s game-winning dunk being called good and the LeBron James’ foul being called on Anthony Edwards’ late shot. Wow.— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 27, 2025 Why wasn’t Hawk-Eye used on the controversial final play of Knicks-Pistons Game 4? Well, the play couldn’t be challenged because the refs ruled Josh Hart didn’t foul Tim Hardaway Jr. on the floor. Of course, the refs admitted they were wrong after the game. The Pistons should have the Knicks tied at 2-2, but instead New York heads back to Madison Square Garden with a 3-1 series lead. NBA fans want accurate calls. They also don’t want the game to be bogged down by reviews. For now, Hawk-Eye has been a positive addition to the playoffs, and it’s legitimately swinging games.
Aaron Gordon’s buzzer-beater dunk was made possible by new NBA technology changing reviews
The NBA signed an agreement with Hawk-Eye tracking technology in March of 2023 in an attempt to bring more accuracy to replay reviews. Hawk-Eye had already revolutionized soccer as the company behind VAR, with automated offside and goal line calls being adopted by FIFA, while also replacing line judges at major tournaments in tennis. The technology is now making a similar impact on the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Hawk-Eye was used to make two game-changing calls in the first-round of the NBA Playoffs over the weekend. On Saturday, it was used to confirm that Aaron Gordon’s game-winning dunk at the buzzer of Game 4 of the Denver Nuggets-Los Angeles Clippers series actually went through the net in net. On Sunday, it was used to overturn a late turnover by Anthony Edwards, which was changed to a foul by LeBron James. Edwards sank the ensuing free throws to give the Wolves a 3-1 series lead.
Gordon’s dunk is one of the most remarkable buzzer-beaters in NBA history — and it was impossible to tell if it should have counted in real time. The Nuggets forward caught an airball from Nikola Jokic and slammed it through the rim at the buzzer. Even Jokic appeared skeptical that the shot counted as he seemingly prepared for overtime. Instead, Hawk-Eye showed that Gordon dunked the ball a millisecond before the regulation buzzer, allowing the Nuggets to tie the series 2-2.
Here’s the clip of Gordon’s game-winning dunk including a look at the Hawk-Eye view that determined it was good.
At the end of Q4 of tonight’s #DENatLAC game, Replay Center officials confirmed the ruling of a good basket by the Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon: pic.twitter.com/BxB4j7TFs8— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) April 27, 2025
The ending of Wolves-Lakers Game 4 was almost as dramatic. Los Angeles led by 10 entering the fourth quarter in a must-win game because they were already down 2-1 in the series. Minnesota slowly chipped away behind the incredible play of Anthony Edwards, some timely shot-making from Naz Reid, and a devastating defense.
Minnesota was up one point with 10 seconds left when Edwards drove and was stripped by LeBron. The refs called it Lakers ball, which seemed obvious enough, but Wolves coach Chris Finch challenged the call. It wasn’t until the Hawk-Eye view that you could see James clearly fouled Edwards on the top of the hand. Edwards sank two free throws, the Wolves won the game after Austin Reaves’ last-second three to tie missed. Here’s a look at the foul and the Hawk-Eye view.
Here’s the foul with LeBron hacking Anthony Edwards across the wrist pic.twitter.com/sCIeUzQCib— MissingLinkShowYo (@realMattMcClary) April 27, 2025
In both cases, the call on the floor could have been wrong without the help of technology. If these calls go the other way, it’s possible the Clippers are up 3-1 on the Nuggets, and Lakers-Wolves is tied 2-2. Instead, Nuggets-Clippers is tied while the Wolves have a commanding 3-1 lead over LA.
Hawk-Eye’s tracking technology is designed to capture player and ball movement in three dimensions in real time. The use of aerial cameras with vertical shots of plays gives officials a new look at what’s happening and helps them make more accurate calls.
If there’s one thing sports fans can agree on, it’s that reviews are annoying because of how much they slow the game down. At the same time, it’s important that the right call gets made in the final seconds with the game on the line. Hawk-Eye helped the NBA get these calls right.
This Hawk-Eye 3D optical tracking technology above angle played the key role in Aaron Gordon’s game-winning dunk being called good and the LeBron James’ foul being called on Anthony Edwards’ late shot. Wow.— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 27, 2025
Why wasn’t Hawk-Eye used on the controversial final play of Knicks-Pistons Game 4? Well, the play couldn’t be challenged because the refs ruled Josh Hart didn’t foul Tim Hardaway Jr. on the floor. Of course, the refs admitted they were wrong after the game. The Pistons should have the Knicks tied at 2-2, but instead New York heads back to Madison Square Garden with a 3-1 series lead.
NBA fans want accurate calls. They also don’t want the game to be bogged down by reviews. For now, Hawk-Eye has been a positive addition to the playoffs, and it’s legitimately swinging games.
