Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy delivered another heated moment after officials hit his team with a strange delay-of-game technical late in their double-overtime win against the Chicago Bulls. The sequence began when two Jazz ballboys hustled onto the floor to clean up sweat near the free-throw line. The crew ruled their timing improper and issued a delay warning. Because Utah already had one earlier, Chicago received a free throw.
Hardy exploded as soon as he heard the whistle. He turned toward the officials and shouted,
“Get the f— out of here! The ball boy wiping up sweat just got us a delay of game? That’s f—ing bull—.”
His outburst appeared immediately on social media, with the clip spreading quickly through the basketball community.
The #UtahJazz had just taken a 3 point lead when this happens… foul called, bodies down, ball boys come out to mop up the sweat and… the Jazz get called for delay of game. Will Hardy was FUMING! Take a look and listen
👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽#TakeNote #NBA pic.twitter.com/MFub1XHoUv— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) November 17, 2025
After the game, Hardy cooled off and explained that his staff acted instinctively and wanted to prevent a slip. He said the attendants stepped on the floor before the referees signaled approval. Hardy refused to blast the officials outright, joking that he didn’t want to lose money with a league fine. Still, his tone made clear that he felt the punishment lacked common sense.
The unusual call sparked new conversations about NBA officiating and how minor procedural moments can impact games. Hardy’s fiery defense of his staff added another chapter to his growing reputation as one of the league’s most passionate advocates for his team.
