Sources — Blazers let deadline pass, opt not to protest loss to Thunder

The Portland Trail Blazers let the 48-hour deadline expire to file a protest over Tuesday's loss to Oklahoma City, confident they have conveyed their frustration to the NBA over the game's final moments, sources tell ESPN Thursday evening.

The day after the 111-109 loss, ESPN reported that the Blazers planned to file a protest with the league office. But the organization decided it had made its case to the league and would move on to Friday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Blazers say coach Chauncey Billups, with a 109-108 lead, had clearly called a timeout on the sideline before a referee called a double dribble on guard Malcolm Brogdon with 15.1 seconds left in the game. fourth quarter in Oklahoma City.

In response, Billups reacted angrily to what he believed to be a failure to honor his timeout request. He was given two technical fouls, including a second after walking onto the floor to argue, and was ejected in the final seconds of the game.

The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made one of two technical free throws to tie the score at 109, and Jalen Williams made a shot in 2.1 seconds to secure the victory. Portland fell to 12-31 with the loss.

An NBA team has 48 hours to file a protest with the league office and five days to provide proof of the disputed action. After that, the league office has five more days to make a decision. A claim costs a team $10,000 to file – and is refunded if successful.