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Only One NBA Team Benefited More From Officials Than the Lakers

NBA officiating has been a source of debate for as long as anyone can remember. Every season, fans argue over missed calls, questionable fouls, and replay decisions that seem to change the course of important games.

Now, a new simulated ranking has added even more fuel to that conversation.

According to simulated tracking of referee mistakes and replay decisions during the 2025–26 NBA season, only one team received more favorable officiating outcomes than the Los Angeles Lakers.

And yes, that team is the Denver Nuggets.

The numbers suggest that while some teams may benefit from favorable calls more often than others, the difference between the teams at the top and bottom of the list is significant enough to get fans talking.

The Ranking: Every NBA Team by Referee and Replay Help

The following simulated ranking is based on estimated beneficial officiating errors, including missed fouls that should have been called against a team, replay decisions that went in its favor, and free throws awarded from questionable calls.

Rank	Team	Beneficial Errors	Net Advantage
1	Denver Nuggets	47	+31
2	Los Angeles Lakers	44	+28
3	Boston Celtics	39	+22
4	Golden State Warriors	36	+19
5	Phoenix Suns	34	+17
6	Milwaukee Bucks	32	+15
7	Dallas Mavericks	31	+14
8	New York Knicks	29	+12
9	Cleveland Cavaliers	28	+11
10	Minnesota Timberwolves	27	+10
11	Oklahoma City Thunder	25	+8
12	Philadelphia 76ers	24	+7
13	Miami Heat	23	+6
14	Sacramento Kings	21	+4
15	Indiana Pacers	20	+3
16	Atlanta Hawks	19	+2
17	Chicago Bulls	18	+1
18	Houston Rockets	17	0
19	Memphis Grizzlies	16	-1
20	New Orleans Pelicans	15	-3
21	Portland Trail Blazers	14	-4
22	Toronto Raptors	13	-5
23	San Antonio Spurs	12	-7
24	Charlotte Hornets	11	-8
25	Washington Wizards	10	-10
26	Detroit Pistons	9	-12
27	Orlando Magic	8	-13
28	Brooklyn Nets	7	-15
29	Utah Jazz	6	-17
30	Los Angeles Clippers	5	-19

The Nuggets Take the Top Spot

The Denver Nuggets sit at No. 1 on the simulated list, finishing with 47 beneficial errors and a net advantage of +31.

That doesn't necessarily mean officials intentionally favored Denver. Teams that feature elite players and spend a lot of time attacking the basket can naturally benefit from more foul calls.

Still, the numbers are enough to raise eyebrows.

The Los Angeles Lakers aren't far behind.

With 44 beneficial errors and a +28 net advantage, the Lakers rank second overall. Several high-profile officiating decisions involving the team have generated plenty of discussion among fans, particularly controversial "no foul" decisions and replay reviews.

For a franchise that already attracts an enormous amount of attention, the ranking is likely to keep the debate going.

Star-Studded Teams Dominate the Top

One of the most interesting things about the ranking is the number of superstar-heavy teams near the top.

The Nuggets, Lakers, Celtics, Warriors, and Suns all appear in the top five.

That could be a coincidence—or it could simply reflect the way these teams play.

Star players typically have the ball in their hands more often, attack the basket more aggressively, and draw significant defensive attention. Naturally, that can lead to more situations where referees have to make difficult decisions.

But critics argue that superstar players may also receive the benefit of the doubt on borderline plays.

That's where the debate gets complicated.

The Clippers' Position Raises Questions

At the other end of the ranking, the Los Angeles Clippers sit in 30th place with just five beneficial errors and a net advantage of -19.

That's particularly interesting considering the team's history of featuring high-profile stars.

The Clippers' position also highlights one of the biggest questions surrounding the entire ranking: Does star power actually influence officiating, or are other factors responsible for the differences?

It's impossible to draw a definite conclusion from simulated data alone.

What Could Explain the Difference?

There are several possible explanations.

Teams that attack the rim frequently will naturally create more opportunities for referees to call fouls. Teams that rely heavily on jump shots may not get to the free-throw line as often.

Defensive schemes also matter. Physical teams may commit more fouls, while teams that defend without reaching or making heavy contact may avoid them.

Then there is the human element.

Referees have a difficult job, especially in a fast-paced league where players move at incredible speed. Some calls are simply going to be missed, while others will be open to interpretation.

The question is whether the differences shown in this simulated ranking are simply the result of playing style—or whether certain teams and star players receive more favorable treatment.

That's something fans will continue to debate.

The Timing Couldn't Be More Interesting

With the postseason approaching, officiating is about to become an even bigger talking point.

Every foul will be examined.

Every replay will be analyzed.

And every controversial decision could potentially change the outcome of a playoff game.

If the Lakers or Nuggets find themselves involved in another controversial officiating decision, expect social media to explode all over again.

For now, though, the simulated numbers tell an interesting story: the Lakers may be near the top of the officiating advantage list, but at least one team is supposedly benefiting even more.

And that team is the Denver Nuggets.

Of course, the big question remains:

Are the Nuggets and Lakers genuinely getting more favorable treatment from officials, or are these numbers simply reflecting the way their teams play?

That's a debate NBA fans are unlikely to settle anytime soon.

What do you think? Are the Lakers and Nuggets getting more help from officials, or is this simply a case of fans reading too much into controversial calls?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.