I live with moderate OA in my left knee medial side. Little to no cartilage in there. Doctor doesn't want to do a replacement until I'm a bit older. This isn't just a basketball/officiating issue for me.
I keep it under control with ice as soon as possible after the game and anytime I feel some swelling in the knee. I just finished 8 weeks of PT twice a week with daily exercises at home designed to strengthen surrounding muscles. I use Ibuprofen as needed and I find Icy Hot on the joint applied before a game can help a bit.
I also have an "unloader" brace. It looks a bit like an ACL brace but it's designed to push the load to the good side of the knee during activity. Here's a link to one of the manufacturers though there are many with essentially the same technology and brace. It is sometimes helpful when the knee is acute. The cost of mine, I think it was about $600 was covered by my medical insurance.
Freestyle OA Knee Brace | Breg Inc.