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The NBL has admitted its referees made a crucial error at the end of the Cairns Taipans’ controversial victory over the Tasmania JackJumpers, in another major officiating talking point to hit the competition just days into the new season.

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Cairns held on for a 93-87 victory on Wednesday night after Tasmania produced a remarkable comeback from 20 points down, but the result was overshadowed by a late no-call that effectively ended the JackJumpers’ hopes of completing the comeback.

With eight seconds remaining and Tasmania trailing 91-87, Dakota Mathias rose for a three-point attempt in the corner before Cairns forward Keanu Pinder made significant contact with him and sent him to the floor.

The officials allowed play to continue, but the NBL has now confirmed that Pinder did foul Mathias in the act of shooting and that three free throws should have been awarded, giving Tasmania a genuine chance to cut the margin to just one point with time still remaining.

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Because no foul was called on the floor, however, the decision could not be overturned after the fact, leaving Tasmania to accept a result that may well have been different had the correct call been made.

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The admission is another headache for the NBL after the opening rounds of the season have already produced plenty of questions from fans and commentators around officiating, including what some have described as ‘soft’ calls that are inconsistent with what is expected from the league.

There is also an adjustment period ahead for officials with the NBL introducing a number of new FIBA rules during the season, including changes to the way fouls are classified and expanded instant replay provisions from October 1, meaning the league will be hoping the officiating settles as the season progresses.

This, on top of some new officials being blooded by the league, has provided a mix of inconsistency to start an otherwise exciting and promising season of NBL basketball.

For Cairns, the controversy takes some of the shine off an important first win of NBL27, while Tasmania will be left wondering what might have happened had the correct call been made with the game still hanging in the balance.

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