The NBA has acknowledged that referees made four incorrect no-calls in the final two minutes of the New York Knicks’ stunning victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, including two crucial errors that directly impacted the outcome of the game.
The game-deciding sequence began with a 3-pointer by Jalen Brunson that cut the Sixers’ lead to 101-99. As Kyle Lowry inbounded the ball to Tyrese Maxey, both Brunson and Josh Hart made contact with Maxey.
Brunson grabbed Maxey’s jersey, while Hart initiated lower body contact, causing Maxey to lose his balance and fall to the floor. Despite these infractions, no fouls were called, and the Knicks gained possession, ultimately leading to Donte DiVincenzo’s game-winning 3-pointer.
The NBA’s Last 2 Minute Report also highlighted two other missed calls: a defensive three-second violation on OG Anunoby and a personal foul by Joel Embiid on DiVincenzo.
The referees will be under strict scrutiny
These errors have added fuel to the Sixers’ complaints that the game was unfairly decided, leaving them in a 2-0 series deficit as the matchup shifts to Philadelphia.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse expressed frustration over the officiating, claiming he tried to call a timeout before the inbound play but was ignored by the officials. While the NBA acknowledged Nurse’s attempt to call a timeout, it noted that it was not recognized by the referees.
The league’s admission of these mistakes is likely to intensify scrutiny on the officiating crews and may prompt further discussions about the use of instant replay and officiating protocols in crucial moments of playoff games.
Game 3 between the Knicks and 76ers is scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) in Philadelphia and is expected to draw significant attention from fans and analysts alike following the controversial finish to Game 2.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Marca
