Referee Injury Delays Warriors-Clippers Play-In Game

Unexpected substitution of officials disrupts crucial playoff matchup

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:08am by

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the disruption of a basketball game due to a referee injury, with sharp, overlapping planes representing the chaotic pause in play.A cubist interpretation of the unexpected referee injury that disrupted the crucial Warriors-Clippers play-in game.San Francisco Today

The play-in game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers experienced an unusual delay due to an injury to referee Ben Taylor. Early in the third quarter, Taylor had to leave the court after apparently injuring himself, and veteran official Sean Corbin came in to replace him. The delay may have indirectly impacted the game, as Warriors player Kristaps Porzingis missed two free throws coming out of the pause in action.

Why it matters

Referee injuries during NBA games are rare, and the unexpected substitution of officials can potentially disrupt the flow and momentum of a high-stakes playoff-caliber matchup like this one between the Warriors and Clippers. The delay may have given one team an advantage, even if only slight, in a close game with major postseason implications.

The details

Referee Ben Taylor appeared to injure himself during the early minutes of the third quarter. After Taylor walked off the court, it took about three minutes for alternate official Sean Corbin to come in and get ready to take over. During this delay, players on both teams looked confused on the court as they awaited the referee swap. When play resumed, Warriors player Kristaps Porzingis missed both of the free throws he was set to attempt before the delay.

  • Early in the third quarter, referee Ben Taylor was injured.
  • The game was delayed for about three minutes while alternate official Sean Corbin came in to replace Taylor.

The players

Kristaps Porzingis

A forward for the Golden State Warriors who was set to shoot two free throws when the game was delayed due to the referee injury.

Ben Taylor

The referee who was injured and had to leave the game in the third quarter.

Sean Corbin

The veteran official who came in to replace the injured Ben Taylor during the game.

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What they’re saying

“If you talk about the pressure as a bench player, coming in and trying to make an imprint on the game. Talk about an official that probably has not warmed up coming into this as well.”

— Candace Parker, Broadcaster

What’s next

The Warriors are currently trailing the Clippers 89-83 at the end of the third quarter in this high-stakes play-in game, with the winner advancing to the NBA playoffs.

The takeaway

This unexpected referee injury highlights the importance of having experienced and prepared officials for high-pressure playoff games, as even a brief delay can potentially impact the momentum and flow of the game.