Referee Ben Taylor injured, replaced by alternate during SoFi Play-In Tournament game

Veteran NBA official Ben Taylor left the game between the Warriors and Clippers due to injury, with Sean Corbin taking over as the replacement referee.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in the team colors of the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers overlapping and intersecting to create a dynamic, abstract visual representation of the game action.An alternate referee steps in to officiate a high-stakes NBA playoff game after an injury to the primary referee.Los Angeles Today

Referee Ben Taylor, an 11-year NBA veteran, left Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers early due to an injury. He was replaced by alternate referee Sean Corbin, who is in his 31st season as an NBA official.

Why it matters

Referee injuries during high-stakes playoff games are uncommon but can have a significant impact on the flow and officiating of the game. The NBA has an alternate referee present at all postseason games to handle such situations and ensure minimal disruption.

The details

Taylor walked stiffly off the court and went up the tunnel behind one basket at Intuit Dome with 8:51 left in the third quarter. After a brief delay, Corbin took over as the replacement referee. The ninth-seeded Clippers were leading the 10th-seeded Warriors 61-53 at halftime of the elimination game.

  • The incident occurred with 8:51 left in the third quarter on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Ben Taylor

An 11-year NBA veteran referee.

Sean Corbin

A 31-year NBA referee who served as the alternate official for the game.

Golden State Warriors

The 10th-seeded team in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Los Angeles Clippers

The ninth-seeded team in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The NBA will likely provide an update on the severity of Ben Taylor's injury and his status for future playoff games.

The takeaway

Referee injuries, while uncommon, can disrupt the flow of high-stakes playoff games. The NBA's policy of having an alternate referee present ensures minimal disruption when such situations occur.