The New York Knicks secured a 1-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs on Monday. Despite being behind for most of the game, the fourth quarter saw some questionable calls against Indiana, including moving screens and kick balls. However, the Knicks managed to pull off a crucial 121-117 home win, with Jalen Brunson leading all scorers with 43 points.
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 acknowledged that the officiating affected the game negatively and questioned some of