Coach Tom Thibodeau didn't name anyone, but he did say he felt referee Jasyn Goble was a problem in Wednesday's 108-100 loss to the Hawks.
“I knew what was going to happen just by looking at who was officiating,” the Knicks coach said.
Last season, the Knicks filed a formal protest against Houston, alleging Goble's phantom call on the game-winning play led to their loss.
The protest was rejected, and Goble was part of the team for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinals, when the Knicks were persistently and visibly upset by several calls.
Despite their issues, New York committed just one more foul and took five fewer foul shots than the Hawks.
The Knicks missed 6 of 15 from the charity stripe.
Asked if his comment about officiating was a reference to Goble's call in Houston last season, Thibodeau said, “I just said I saw who was officiating.”
Ariel Hukporti was injured in his G League debut.
The rookie logged just 14 minutes before spraining his ankle in Wednesday morning's 118-107 win over Westchester.
Hukporti was still called up for the senior game between the Knicks and Hawks, which took place eight hours after tipoff at Westchester, but he was sidelined with a sprained ankle.
“I understand more. [Thursday]'' Thibodeau said. “That's what we're told every day.”
The Knicks had sent all of their rookies to the G League for Wednesday's game at the Westchester County Center.
Tyler Kolek had 18 points on 7-of-20 shooting, nine rebounds and eight assists. Pacome Dadiet He scored just 12 points with six boards on 5-of-15 field goals. Jacob Toppin was the star player with 36 points and 12 rebounds.
All of them were called up for the NBA Cup game against the Hawks.
Before the injury, Hukporti was on the edge of the rotation.
He appeared in 11 games, including 15 minutes against the Pistons on Saturday.
with Mitchell Robinson Still running indefinitely, the backup center spot is predictably unstable.
Jericho Sims, Fukuporti, Precious Achiuwa The minutes alternated.
In Wednesday's loss, Thibodeau tried to line up with Achiuwa and Karl-Anthony Towns, but was quickly cut short by foul trouble.
“Karl had some foul problems, so that changed our mind,” Thibodeau said.
Thibodeau briefly turned to Sims in the fourth quarter, but one mistake pulled him away.
Landry Shamet, who dislocated his shoulder during the preseason, is practicing contact, Thibodeau said Wednesday.
“I mean, he’s getting close,” the coach added.
Shamet was thought to be key to the final lineup, but was waived due to injury. The Knicks then acquired his G League rights so they could monitor his rehabilitation.
Without Shamet, the Knicks fulfilled their roster requirements by signing Matt Ryan, who struggled with his shot and was unable to crack the rotation.
Shamet, a 27-year-old guard, is a veteran but hasn't played since October.
