This fan pulled the reverse Steve Bartman.
A likely Timberwolves fan sitting courtside Monday night caught a ball that went out of bounds to give the Timberwolves a chance at a final shot with 0.3 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
It’s possible the game could have ended had the fan not pulled a Justin Jefferson and interjected himself with a nice catch, but it went for naught with the Timberwolves turning the ball over on the inbounds pass in the 128-126 loss to the Thunder that now has Minnesota in a 3-1 series hole.
Thunder star and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to call the fan “smart” for his actions in a video posted by ESPN.
It’s generally accepted that fans are going to do what they can on balls in the stands to help their teams, although those Yankees fans who tried to wrestle Mookie Betts clearly took it a little too far.
Bartman will forever be remembered for interfering with a foul ball that hurt the Cubs in their NLCS loss to the Marlins in 2003, though the team’s 2016 title has helped nullify that pain.
This fan could have cemented himself in Minnesota lore had the Timberwolves somehow won.
With Oklahoma City leading 128-126 with 3.5 seconds remaining, Anthony Edwards missed a free throw, and Gilgeous-Alexander and Donte DiVincenzo fought for the rebound.
Gilgeous-Alexander corralled the ball and threw it down court in hopes of running out the clock.
His pass, though, veered out of bounds, and this fan caught the ball before it hit the ground. It’s possible the clock would have run out if not for the fan.
The referees initially said the Timberwolves had possession with 0.1 seconds remaining, which would have meant they could not get a shot off, but after a review, they gave Minnesota 0.3 seconds.
As the referees huddled, Gilgeous-Alexander pointed toward the fan before smirking, touching his head in a thinking motion.
He seemingly said “You’re smart” while pointing at the fan.
That time saved by the fan’s “smart” play allowed the Timberwolves time to attempt a tip-in, but Jalen Williams intercepted the pass to secure the two-point win.
The Timberwolves now face elimination in Game 5 on Wednesday in Oklahoma City, and Minnesota is an 8.5-point underdog at BetMGM.
