NBA Report Confirms Controversial Calls in Knicks’ Victory
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has released a report detailing several controversial calls that occurred during the New York Knicks’ 104-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their playoff series.
According to the report, 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey was fouled twice before Donte DiVincenzo made the go-ahead 3-pointer for the Knicks. The report also states that 76ers coach Nick Nurse attempted to call two timeouts that were not granted by the officials.
The incorrect non-calls occurred during a critical possession late in the fourth quarter. With the 76ers leading by five points, Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer to bring the Knicks within two. The 76ers attempted to inbound the ball to Maxey, but he was swarmed by Brunson and Josh Hart. Maxey fell to the court, and Hart grabbed the ball.
The NBA report determined that Brunson first grabbed Maxey’s jersey, preventing him from catching the pass cleanly. The league also ruled that Hart made lower body contact that caused Maxey to fall. Both plays were indicated as incorrect non-calls.
The report further stated that Hart took the ball away from Maxey with a clean steal. Nurse attempted to call timeout before the ball was passed in, and again after Maxey had fallen, but it may have been too late. The report notes that the timeout request was simultaneous to Hart making contact with the ball and the 76ers not having possession.
After the game, 76ers center Joel Embiid expressed his frustration with the officiating, saying that it had been unacceptable. Despite the controversial calls, Maxey has urged his team to move on and focus on winning the series.
“It is what it is. It happened. We’ve got to let it go,” Maxey said. “We can’t dwell on it now. If we dwell on it, then in a couple days we’ll be down 0-3. We don’t want to be down 0-3. We know that we can still win this series. We’re going to go out there and prove that to everybody, not just ourselves. It starts today, letting that go. And then tomorrow at practice, and when the ball goes up on Thursday be the tougher team – not just physically, but mentally as well.”
The 76ers now trail the series 2-0 and will look to turn things around in Game 3 on Thursday. If the 76ers lose Game 3, they will be in a difficult position to win the series.
