Late in the first quarter of Friday night’s matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic, veteran NBA referee Bill Kennedy appeared to suffer a leg injury.
The 59-year-old official, well known for his animated and entertaining explanations during coaches’ challenges, was forced to leave the court in a wheelchair.
Kennedy first appeared to limp while running down the floor during a 76ers fast break with roughly 2½ minutes left in the opening quarter. He was later seen hopping along the baseline as Paul George completed a layup, cutting Orlando’s lead to 22-20. Shortly afterward, Kennedy signaled for assistance as the Magic called a timeout.
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With him unable to return, the remainder of the game was officiated by just two referees, and Philadelphia went on to win 103-91.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Kennedy will be sidelined indefinitely, though there is hope he can return before the regular season concludes in April.
Referees often face harsh scrutiny from American sports fans, sometimes warranted, but Kennedy has earned widespread respect and admiration over his career. He is considered one of the league’s top officials, praised for his clear communication and professionalism with players and coaches.
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Earlier this month, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joked that he challenged a late-game call simply because he “really just kind of wanted to hear Billy Kennedy.”
Kennedy has long dreamed of becoming a referee. According to his biography, he began officiating at a young age and has steadily risen through the ranks. Just last week, The Sports Network in Canada called him a “national treasure” who delivers a “storytelling masterclass.”
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