Knicks affected by non-calls in Game 3 vs. Pacers
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau calls out to players during the first half of Game 5 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks, at least for public consumption, took the high road Friday night, refusing to blame the officials for their 111-106 Game 3 loss to the Pacers. But when the NBA’s Last Two Minute report was released Saturday, it provided a stinging reminder of what could have been.
The only correction the league made was that with 1:57 remaining in the game, Pascal Siakam should have been called for an offensive foul as he battled with Isaiah Hartenstein for position, describing it as “Siakam (IND) grabs Hartenstein’s (NYK) arms off-ball and the contact affects Hartenstein’s ability to defend the oncoming driving shot attempt.”
The layman’s explanation was a little easier to understand. Not included in the report because it occurred just outside of the two-minute window was a blocked shot by Myles Turner against Josh Hart that triggered a fast break. Video of that showed that it should have been called goaltending, but with no call, the Pacers rushed the ball upcourt and Andrew Nembhard drove for a layup that Hartenstein was unable to contest because Siakam had locked him up from behind.
The basket put the Pacers in front 104-102. The non-call also would have fouled Siakam out of the game.
“From my vantage point, those calls could’ve gone our way,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I’m not going to comment until I look at the film. We just have to find a way to win. That’s the bottom line.”
— Steve Popper
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.