NBA Makes Referee Announcement After Injury During Knicks-Heat Contest
The NBA has announced a referee replacement following an injury sustained during the New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat game on Tuesday night. Veteran official **Tre Maddox** was forced to exit the game in the second quarter due to an apparent leg injury, prompting a mid-game officiating adjustment.
Maddox, who has been an NBA referee since 2010, appeared to suffer the injury while running up the court during a transition play. He immediately signaled for assistance and was helped off the floor by medical staff. The game proceeded with only two referees—**Bill Kennedy and Natalie Sago**—as no alternate official was available.
The league later confirmed that Maddox would undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of his injury. Depending on the diagnosis, he may miss additional games as part of his recovery.
This incident highlights the physical demands placed on NBA referees, who often log significant mileage running up and down the court each game. While injuries among officials are less common than those among players, they can still impact game management, especially when a crew is reduced to just two referees.
Following the game, Knicks head coach **Tom Thibodeau** and Heat head coach **Erik Spoelstra** both praised the remaining officials for their ability to handle the contest despite being shorthanded.
The NBA is expected to make adjustments to officiating assignments in the coming days based on Maddox’s recovery timeline. The league has not yet announced a replacement for his upcoming scheduled games.
This marks the second referee injury of the season, raising concerns about officiating depth and the potential need for contingency plans in similar situations.
