If an intentional timeout is granted after a deflected pass, can the timeout decision be revoked?

In basketball, the rules surrounding timeouts are quite specific, particularly when it comes to the circumstances under which they can be granted or revoked. When an intentional timeout is requested after a deflected pass, the key factor is whether the play has been interrupted or not.

The response stating that the timeout can be revoked if the possession was uninterrupted recognizes that referees have leeway in managing game flow and ensuring fairness. If the possession can be deemed continuous—with no major stoppage in play due to the deflected pass—then the referee may allow the teams to continue playing without enforcing the timeout. This flexibility accommodates the fluid nature of the game and helps maintain its pace.

In the case where the timeout was granted immediately following a deflected pass, it acknowledges that the non-interrupted possession implies a quick response rather than a strategic halt in play. Therefore, the option that states the timeout decision can be revoked under these circumstances accurately reflects the officiating guideline that prioritizes the natural flow of the game.