The New York Knicks took a commanding 1-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs on Monday. However, the victory came with controversy as fans and analysts alike criticized the officiating decisions made in the game.
The Pacers played composed basketball for most of the game, but things heated up in the fourth quarter when some questionable calls were made against Indiana. There were allegations of moving screens and kick balls that disadvantaged the Pacers. Despite these accusations, Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 43 points, helping to secure a crucial home win for the Knicks.
Afterward, many observers questioned some of the officiating decisions made during the game. Several sports figures, including Joel Embiid and NFL players, voiced their opinions about how unfair they were to Indiana. The Pacers’ coach Rick Carlisle remained tight-lipped on the matter but acknowledged that they had not expected favorable calls from referees.
Fans and analysts alike acknowledged that officiating affected the outcome of the game negatively and questioned some of the decisions made by referees. Myles Turner emphasized that games should be decided by players rather than referees.
The stark difference between officiating style between this game and other games like Wolves-Nuggets matchup was noted by spectators. Game 2 between Knicks and Pacers will take place in New York on Wednesday at 8 p.m ET
