NBA determines Kobe Bryant fouled Ricky Rubio on final play of Lakers’ win over Minnesota

After reviewing the tape of the Lakers’ 120-117 victory Wednesday over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA determined that Kobe Bryant fouled Ricky Rubio during his 28-foot attempt and should’ve been awarded three free throws.

Of course, this does nothing to change the outcome.

The Lakers (37-35) still have a one-game lead over the Utah Jazz (36-36) for the eighth playoff spot and still have a 22-game winning streak against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But a similar incident recently happened to the Lakers’ detriment. The NBA retroactively conceded that Bryant should’ve been awarded two free throws in the final moments of the Lakers’ 96-92 loss March 13 to the Atlanta Hawks after Dahntay Jones stepped under Bryant during his potential game-tying shot.

The referees didn’t make a call. Instead, Bryant missed the shot, landed on Jones’ foot and sprained his left ankle. The next day, the NBA admitted the error.

For both the Lakers’ fortune and detriment, neither ruling changed the original outcome.

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com