NBA to deploy AI system for automatic out-of-bounds detection

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the league plans to roll out an automated system for specific officiating decisions, including out-of-bounds calls.

The system would use AI and cameras positioned around the court to determine possession. Silver compared the approach to Hawk-Eye, the tracking technology used for line calls in tennis.

Disputed call prompted Silver’s remarks

Silver’s appearance followed a controversial call in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

Late in the third quarter, Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was judged to have last touched the ball on an out-of-bounds play. Replays indicated the ball had deflected off the foot of Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. After consulting, the officials upheld the call.

The call gained attention after Oklahoma City took a 3-2 lead in the series. Silver said the NBA plans to eventually eliminate that category of objective calls from on-court officials.

NBA partnership with Hawk-Eye began in 2023

The NBA previously announced its collaboration with Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations. In 2023, the league stated it had entered a multi-year partnership to deploy 3D optical tracking technology.

The partnership came after several years of testing at Summer League and NBA arenas. The NBA said the system was designed to track ball and player movement in three dimensions with sub-second latency.

The league also identified out-of-bounds and goaltending as potential future applications for automated officiating. Silver mentioned out-of-bounds calls during his ESPN appearance.

Other sports already use automated officiating systems for specific call categories. Tennis employs electronic line calling, while FIFA has implemented semi-automated offside technology. MLB plans to introduce an automated balls-and-strikes challenge system in 2026.

“We’re going to move to a system like that where that entire category of calls will be automatic,” Silver said.

He stated the system would determine possession instantly, regardless of whether the ball belongs to the Lakers, Knicks, Thunder, Spurs, or any other team.

Silver said the system would lessen the need for challenges on those calls.

Coach’s Challenge handles out-of-bounds reviews

Under current NBA rules, a Coach’s Challenge is the only method to initiate a replay review of an out-of-bounds violation at any time during a game. Each team begins with one challenge and earns a second only if the first is successful.

The NBA also expanded the Coach’s Challenge rule for the 2024–25 season. The change permits officials to review whether a foul should have been called during specific out-of-bounds reviews.

Silver said the technology would allow games to proceed without stoppages for that category of decision. “It’ll be instantaneous, it’ll be automatic. Just play on,” he said.

The NBA has already broadened its use of replay review and centralized officiating support.

The league operates a Replay Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. According to the NBA, all 30 arenas are linked to the facility, which features 94 HD monitors, 23 workstations, and supports reviews across 15 instant replay triggers.

Referees still handle foul calls

Silver said referees would continue to be responsible for calls requiring judgment, particularly those involving contact and fouls.

He noted that contact occurs on many plays, but officials still must determine whether the contact affected a player’s movement or ability to continue the play.

“There’s often contact on every play,” Silver said. “It doesn’t mean there’s a foul.” Silver did not provide a specific timeline for introducing the automated system. He said the league expects to move in that direction “fairly quickly.”

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