The human eye can be deceived. Asking someone -- even a trained eye -- to determine what happens in a split-second is very challenging. The NBA has acknowledged that fact, and has taken steps to freeze the moment.

After a regular season and subsequent postseason that included a number of high-profile buzzer-beaters (examples below), NBA officials felt it would be in the best interest of the game to rely on the latest technology, and not just the human eye, to determine what occurs on the court before time runs out.

Beginning with select preseason games -- and carrying through the entire regular season -- NBA referees will have the advantage of television replays and in-arena feeds to view multiple angles of plays that happen at the end of each quarter. Any made basket or foul that occurs at the buzzer at the end of the quarter (see the "Four Triggers" below) will automatically be reviewed to determine if the action in question happened before the quarter ended.


The border of each backboard will light up in red immediately when the game clock expires.
"Last-second plays sometimes occur in which it is impossible for a human being to determine whether the play took place before time expired," said Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations when the rule was approved by the Board of Governors on July 29. "In those circumstances, the game officials will now have the use of instant replay to assist them in making the correct call."

To further assist the process, more signal-lights will now be utilized as some televised angles don't always capture the clock, the red light, and the game action in the same frame. All NBA arenas have been outfitted with new lighting systems on both backboards and the scorer's table that will light up when the game clock hits :00. This will provide the most visible evidence that the quarter has ended.

"When a camera takes a view of a shooter or the players, they'll be
able to see these red light lights along with the clock and the players to help them make a more effective determination," Jackson said.


VIDEO: Four Examples
Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Steve Francis and Jalen Rose all try and beat the buzzer. Which ones are good? You decide through the use of instant replay.
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Here are some additional questions ...

How will it work?
Referees will use televised replays and judge the call. Only if there is conclusive evidence does the call get overturned.

What are the referees looking for when watching the replay?
There are five reviewable items:

  • Whether a shot got off in time
  • If a shot was correctly called as a two-point or three-point field goal
  • Whether a player committed a boundary line violation while getting off a shot
  • If there was a 24-second violation
  • If an 8-second backcourt violation occurred
  • If a called foul occurs before the time expires

    Can coaches challenge a call?
    There are no coaches challenges. Any play at the buzzer that satisfies one of the four triggers below automatically gets reviewed.

    The Four Triggers for Instant Replay
    A field goal that could affect the outcome of the game is made with no time remaining on the clock (0:00) at the end of the fourth quarter or any overtime period
    A field goal is made with no time remaining on the clock (0:00) at the end of the first, second and third quarters
    A foul for which the resulting free throws could affect the outcome of the game is called with no time remaining on the clock (0:00) at the end of the fourth quarter or any overtime period
    A foul is called with no time remaining on the clock (0:00) at the end of the first, second and third quarters