Another tense Knicks playoff game, with another officiating controversy.
And it didn’t take long for the judges to recognize that.
New York benefited from a kick-ball violation in the final minute of the Knicks’ 121-117 Game 1 win over the Pacers on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
With the game tied at 115-115 with 52 seconds left, Knicks star Jalen Brunson attempted a pass from Trapp.
His pass hit Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith, resulting in a whistle for a kickball violation.
However, replays clearly showed Brunson’s pass hit Nesmith’s arm instead of his leg.
“We felt on the floor that this would be a kicked ball violation,” crew chief Zach Zabra told pool reporters after the game. “The post-game review found that it hit the defender’s hand, which would be legal.”
The extra possession resulted in Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 40.1 seconds left, giving the Knicks a 118-115 lead.
The Knicks led the rest of the way.
Although the mistake was clear on replays, the violation of kicking the ball cannot be disputed.
“Kicked ball violations are not subject to review and are not subject to coach challenge,” Zabra said. “The three things teams can challenge are fouls, goaltending and going out of bounds.”
This wasn’t the only controversial late call.
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With the Knicks leading 118-117 with 12.1 seconds left, Pacers center Myles Turner was called for an illegal screen on DiVincenzo.
There seemed to be limits when playing.
The Pacers appealed the decision, but after review it was approved.
“I don’t want to talk about officiating,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game. “I don’t expect to get a call here. I hope they fire me. [the illegal screen], but that’s just the thing. We tried it and they reviewed it. There are a lot of people in New Jersey who agree with that, and that’s just the way it is.
“We have to learn from that too. It’s a timing play and both guys are involved. We need to execute it better next time.”
