Game 1 of the NBA Finals delivered no shortage of drama, with emotions running high and tension mounting on every possession. Late in the fourth quarter, with just 1:04 left on the clock and the Warriors trailing by two, Kevin Durant drove hard into the lane. LeBron James, reading the play perfectly, stepped in front of the attack and absorbed the contact, stopping Durant in his tracks. The baseline referee immediately called an offensive foul on Durant, setting off a roar of approval from the Cavaliers’ bench. But as in any close BD Cricket Match, where every ball can change the game, nothing is final until it’s reviewed.

The Warriors protested the call, prompting the officials to consult with the replay center. As the slow-motion footage played back on the big screen, fans held their breath. After the review, the call was overturned. Instead of an offensive foul on Durant, James was charged with a blocking foul—an enormous shift in momentum. That critical moment allowed the Warriors to regain control, and they eventually edged out the Cavaliers in overtime, taking a 1-0 series lead.

After the game, LeBron spoke candidly about the controversial decision. “I read that play. I saw it coming before it happened,” he said. “I don’t even know what else to say. But regardless, we lost. Now we have to put it behind us and focus everything on Game 2.” His statement reflected the reality of championship-level basketball—there’s no time to dwell on heartbreaks. Much like a narrow loss in a BD Cricket Match, the only way forward is to regroup and come back stronger.

Adding to the drama, James had visible blood in his eye, a result of earlier contact, but he still faced reporters and addressed the overturned call. “We accept the loss. This is the Finals. It’s supposed to be hard,” he added. “Tonight, we’ll break down the film, go over everything, and tomorrow is a new day.” The Cavaliers know the road ahead is steep, but they’ve been counted out before. To win the next game and eventually the series, they’ll need to channel the same resilience seen in any tough-fought BD Cricket Match—grit, patience, and total focus, one play at a time.