The New York Knicks are at the center of the latest major officiating mistake in the NBA, as they lost to the Houston Rockets 103-105 in a game decided by a three-point foul by Jalen Brunson on Aaron Holiday. The foul was contentious in the moment and Holiday clinched all three shots to give the Rockets the win.
The NBA’s post-game Pool Report with crew chief Ed Malloy saw Malloy admit to the call being wrong after the game.
Question: “Why was there a shooting foul called on Jalen Brunson against Aaron Holiday on the Rockets’ final possession of the game?”
Ed Malloy: “In live action, it was felt that the lower body contact was illegal contact.”
Question: “After seeing the replay, do officials believe it was the correct call?”
Ed Malloy: “After seeing it during the postgame review, the offensive player was able to return to a normal playing position on the floor. The contact that occurred after the release of the ball therefore is incidental and marginal to the shot attempt and should not have been called.”
Ed Malloy, to pool reporter @FredKatz, on the call in the Knicks game, which Malloy admits was the wrong call. pic.twitter.com/Y0E2T3w9rg
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 13, 2024
This was a huge call, as this keeps the Knicks three games behind the No. 2 seed in the East. The Cavaliers lost to the 76ers and the Knicks lost the opportunity to move a game closer to them. Also, the Bucks’ win over the Nuggets allows them to extend their lead on the No. 3 seed by two games over the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson was called for a foul on this play 👀
Rockets win off free throws 😳 https://t.co/Pn7hZR43lU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2024
Jalen Brunson led the team with 27 points and seven assists, along with some clutch buckets. Donte DiVincenzo continued his good form with 23 points, while Josh Hart added 17 points. New addition Bojan Bogdanovic put up 15 off the bench.
New York played without Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Mitchell Robinson. They could have used this win to stay afloat in the Conference after a series of injuries had hurt the franchise significantly on the court.
Stephen A. Smith Thinks The Knicks Will Make The Eastern Conference Finals
Stephen A. Smith is a loud and proud fan of the New York Knicks. This has led to him being harshly critical of the team in the past, but he is fully on board with the team now. After the team acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks for Quentin Grimes, non-rotational players, and second-round picks, Stephen A. declared that the Knicks were headed to the Conference Finals.
“Let me tell y’all something right now. Orange and blue skies baby, orange and blue skies. It’s coming down to Boston and the New York Knicks in the conference finals. Milwaukee’s going down. Cleveland’s going down. Miami is going down. I’m not worried anymore. I’m not worried.”
The Knicks are 16-6 since the turn of the calendar year, with their last five games being wrought with injury, losing four of these contests. They have cooled off after a hot start to the year, but are serious contenders in the East. OG Anunoby already transformed this team onto a new level, but the additions of Bogdanovic and Burks have legitimized their status.
It’s hard to pass comments on them as contenders until we see the group healthy again, but all signs are pointing up. They should’ve had a win against the Rockets tonight, but they’re good enough to make up for it after they get healthy.
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