NBA: Referees can treat 'piggyback' fouls as flagrants

NBA referees are set to take a harder line on players who intentionally foul poor free-throw shooters by jumping on their backs.

"This is a potentially dangerous play against a player in a vulnerable position," reads the statement from Kiki Vandeweghe, the league's executive vice president of basketball operations. "Please be advised that the referees have been instructed to evaluate such plays under all applicable playing rules, including the rules relating to Flagrant Fouls."

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said during his All-Star weekend press conference that he'd instruct Vandeweghe to address the issue.

Officials evaluated whether "piggyback" fouls - which have been used on poor free-throw shooters such as Dwight Howard and Andre Drummond - meet the criteria of a flagrant.

Silver said Saturday there'd be no new rules regarding the colloquially known as "Hack-a-Shaq" this season, but that the league would clarify the interpretation of the play this week.

- With files from The Associated Press