What should happen if one free throw is erroneously recognized and play progresses?

In situations where a free throw is recognized incorrectly and play continues, the protocol established within basketball officiating indicates that errors must be corrected when they are identified during a dead ball scenario. This means officials should wait until the play stops—such as during a timeout or any other situation where the ball is not in play—to address and rectify the scoring mistake. This approach helps maintain the integrity of the game while minimizing disruption to the flow of play.

If scoring errors were to be corrected immediately upon recognition, it could lead to confusion and disrupt the game. Similarly, claiming that scoring remains valid until the end of the game would undermine the officials’ responsibility for accurate game management. The notion that corrections should be made regardless of scoring progress is contrary to established guidelines that prioritize game continuity and orderly resolution of mistakes. Thus, the identification of errors during a dead ball offers the best opportunity for accurate corrections while keeping the game flowing smoothly.