The New York Knicks claimed a 1-0 series lead over the Indiana Pacers in the second round on Monday, but not without controversy. Despite being ranked as the No. 7 seed, the Pacers played composed basketball and led for most of the game against the No. 2 seed Knicks. However, in the fourth quarter, some questionable calls were made against Indiana, including moving screens and kick balls. The Knicks managed to secure a crucial home win with Jalen Brunson leading all scorers with 43 points.
The excitement of the series opener was short-lived as much of the conversation afterward centered around officiating controversies. Various sports figures, including Joel Embiid and NFL players, criticized the calls made in the game. Many observers believed that Indiana was disadvantaged by missed calls on crucial plays.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle refrained from discussing officiating, acknowledging that they did not expect favorable calls. Fans and analysts alike agreed that officiating had a negative impact on the game and questioned some of the decisions made. Pacers player Myles Turner emphasized that games should be decided by players and not referees.
The stark difference between officiating style between this Pacers-Knicks matchup and other games such as Wolves-Nuggets was noticed by spectators. Game 2 between Knicks and Pacers is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m ET