The Knicks can’t have a playoff game without some fourth-quarter drama, especially involving the referees.
New York has found itself in a close game down the stretch in every playoff game so far in 2024, including the first two games of its second-round series against the Pacers. And tight margins bring greater scrutiny to referees.
Controversial finishes in Game 1 against the Pacers and Game 2 against the 76ers favored the Knicks. But the 76ers gained an advantage in on a missed call in Game 5 of the first-round series.
The referees created another controversy during Game 2 of the Knicks-Pacers series, although not in a decisive decision.
New York’s Isaiah Hartenstein was called on to take a double dribble in the defensive zone as the Knicks led 124-118 with just over a minute left. However, immediately after the whistle, the officiating team discussed the play and overturned it without replay review.
Reggie Miller: How come it’s unnoticed? I heard it. I heard the whistle and the call.
Brian Anderson: And the signal.
Miller: Correct. And the sign. He made a signal, double dribble.
Bizarre sequence that ultimately led to Pacers coach Rick Carlisle being ejected. pic.twitter.com/hxEupXzJfE
– Horrible advertisement (@awfulannunciando) May 9, 2024
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle took issue with the series of events that helped lead to his last-minute ejection.
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Why did the referees annul the double-dribble penalty?
Officiating teams can (and often do) discuss calls with each other to get different perspectives on the same play. That seemed to be the case at Madison Square Garden for the alleged double dribble.
The referees changed the call without replay review because they are not allowed to check the monitor for violations, which includes double-dribbles. And none of the coaches could initiate a review since there were less than two minutes left in the game.
The referees overturned the original decision, calling it an involuntary whistle. The Knicks received an inbounds play with 19 seconds left on the shot clock.
Therefore, violation calls cannot be challenged. (We saw it with the ball kicked by Nesmith last game). A double dribble is an infraction. But were they able to determine that it was an inadvertent whistle and give the ball back to the Knicks?
– Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) May 9, 2024
Although the overturned decision ruffled feathers and helped lead to Rick Carlisle’s ouster, it appeared to be the correct one based on the play’s video. The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report will offer a final verdict.
Why was Rick Carlisle expelled?
Carlisle was furious with the overturned decision. If the double-dribble call stood, the Pacers would have had a chance to cut the Knicks’ lead to three or four points with more than a minute remaining.
The 64-year-old coach became too angry at the last minute. He committed two technical fouls on different occasions. Brunson received free throws each time, giving him the opportunity to increase the Knicks’ lead.
“We deserve a fair chance… I’m really disappointed.”
Pacers HC Rick Carlisle comments on officiating in Game 2 pic.twitter.com/bq0LiF2G2A
—NBA TV (@NBATV) May 9, 2024
After Indiana’s loss, Carlisle questioned the officiating in Game 2, saying his “small market” team deserved “a fair shot.” He also felt there were “29 plays in Game 1 that we thought were clearly called incorrectly.”
Rick Carlisle left in the arbitration ? pic.twitter.com/QcnbMOaYGT
— Oh no he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) May 9, 2024
Carlisle said after the game that he planned to file complaints about the calls with the NBA. The Pacers ultimately sent 78 of them to the league office in Games 1 and 2 of the series, according to ESPN.
