The New York Knicks claimed a 1-0 series lead over the Indiana Pacers in the second round on Monday, although not without controversy. The No. 2 seed Knicks managed to secure a crucial 121-117 home win, with Jalen Brunson leading all scorers with 43 points. However, the fourth quarter saw some questionable calls against Indiana, including moving screens and kick balls, that sparked debate about the officiating.
Despite the exciting series opener, much of the conversation afterward centered around the officiating. Various reactions poured in from different sports figures, including Joel Embiid, NFL players, and more criticizing the calls made in the game. Many observers believed that the Pacers were disadvantaged by the officiating decisions, including missed calls on crucial plays.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle refrained from discussing the officiating, admitting they did not expect favorable calls. Fans and analysts alike acknowledged that the officiating affected the game negatively and questioned some of the decisions made. Pacers player Myles Turner emphasized that games should be decided by the players, not by referees.
The stark difference in officiating style between the Pacers-Knicks game and other games like the Wolves-Nuggets matchup was noted by spectators. Game 2 between the Knicks and Pacers in New York is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.