NBA Referee Bill Kennedy was carted off the floor in the first quarter of Friday’s game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic. Kennedy sprinted to Philly’s end of the court to keep up with the 76ers’ transition attack. The veteran official began limping near the 3-point line but eventually reached his assigned position beneath the basket just as Paul George scored.
The Magic called a timeout after the play, allowing the arena training staff to check on Kennedy, who was eventually wheeled off the floor.
Fans promptly reacted to the viral scene:
“Bill Kennedy is the Anthony Davis of Paul Pierce referees.”
One fan said:
“NBA needs to load manage him.”
Another fan added:
“Devastating injury for the OKC Thunder praying for him and Shai.”
One more fan continued:
“Bill Kennedy season ending injury before Embiid ECF.”
Another fan wrote:
“NOOO NOT BILL. PLEASE GOD. I NEED HIM TO LEAN OVER THE SCORING TABLE WITH SASS AND PLAYFULLY CALL THE GAME.”
Bill Kennedy began officiating college basketball games in 1987, according to the NBRA. By 1995, he became an NBA referee. He ended his career as a college basketball referee in 2012, preferring to concentrate on the big league. Kennedy has become famous because of his flair when explaining a coach’s challenge.
The Anthony Davis reference from a fan was not surprising due to the star big man’s injury-prone career. Paul Pierce is another player with whom Bill Kennedy has a long history.
In Game 4 of the 2012 Eastern Conference semis, then Boston Celtics star Pierce fouled out against the Miami Heat. Celtics coach Doc Rivers ripped the officiating despite the Celtics’ 93-91 overtime win that evened the series. Kennedy, Joe Crawford and Greg Williard, the referees, also received criticism following the highly physical game.
There is no update on Bill Kennedy’s status after he left the 76ers-Magic game in a wheelchair. He would likely miss multiple games as he needed to be carted off.
Paul Pierce played in Bill Kennedy’s first NBA Finals appearance
The 2010 NBA Finals were Bill Kennedy’s debut on the big stage. He first appeared in the championship series as part of the crew that officiated Game 3 of the epic showdown between the Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers. Dan Crawford served as the top referee, with Kennedy and Bennett Salvatore as his assistants.
The showdown featured Celtics superstars Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. On the other side, the Tinseltown team was led by Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and the late Kobe Bryant.
The series was tied 1-1 when the Lakers visited their rivals in Beantown. Pierce struggled, dealing with foul trouble all game long, and finished with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Kobe Bryant dazzled with 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists to lead the Lakers to a 91-84 win.
According to NBRA, that classic showdown was Bill Kennedy’s “most memorable NBA assignment.”
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