The NBA confirmed the 76ers’ gripes that Tyrese Maxey was the victim of two missed foul calls during the Knicks’ frantic late-game comeback in Game 2 of their playoff series on Monday night. According to the league’s Last Two Minute report, both Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson should have been whistled for fouls on Maxey during the scramble leading up to Donte DiVincenzo’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 13.0 seconds remaining. The report states that with 27.0 seconds remaining – just after Brunson’s 3-pointer brought the Knicks within two – “Brunson (NYK) pulls Maxey’s (PHI) jersey away from his body, which affects Maxey’s ability to secure the pass.” Then with 24.9 seconds left – following the inbounds pass by Kyle Lowry – “Hart (NYK) steps forward into Maxey’s (PHI) space and initiates lower body contact that causes Maxey to lose his balance and fall to the floor.” The report also states that the officials were correct in not calling a foul on Maxey against Hart ahead of the inbounds play because “Maxey (PHI) brings his hands towards Hart (NYK) and marginal contact occurs as Maxey releases away from Hart during the inbound.” That description also includes a notation that states that 76ers coach Nick Nurse attempted to call a timeout during the play that was “neither recognized nor granted by the officials.” One non-call earlier in the final minute of action was ruled to have been missed in the Knicks’ favor. With 34.7 seconds to go, Joel Embiid extended his left hand “forward and into DiVincenzo’s (NYK) head/face as he begins his dribble, and the contact affects his SQBR (speed, quickness, balance, rhythm).” The missed calls and non-calls in the final minutes of Game 2 could have a major impact on the rest of the series. The 76ers now trail the Knicks 2-0 and will need to win the next two games at home to tie the series.
NBA Confirms Sixers’ Complaints in Game 2 against Knicks
