Ironman referee makes it 2,633 games in a row in NBA
The 74-year-old has worked 270 play-off ties in 39 seasons, including 27 finals
NBA referee Dick Bavetta worked his 2,633rd consecutive game assignment, an ironman streak even longer than baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jnr's.
Bavetta worked the game between the Knicks and Nets at Madison Square Garden, where he began his career in 1975, extending a streak during which he has never missed an assignment.
He chalked up his streak to good health, dedication and a fear of inconveniencing someone else if he had to take a day off.
If I miss a game, I'm imposing upon someone that's home with his family
"I tell you I don't think about it, in a sense that I guess it's a work ethic, and it's always been my way of thinking - that you get a fair day's wage for a fair day's work," Bavetta said.
The 74-year-old has worked 270 play-off games in 39 seasons, including 27 NBA Finals games, three All-Star games and the 1992 Olympics.
He was honoured on court before the game.
There have been close calls through the years, usually when bad weather caused flights to be cancelled or airports to be closed.
But he always found a way, renting a car to drive from Toronto to Cleveland, or Chicago to Detroit, so he and his partner official could get where they had to be.