New York Knicks forward Josh Hart on Friday felt the referees missed a crucial call late in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers just barely edged out the Knicks 111-106 in the final minutes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Andrew Nembhard, who was the most ineffective Pacer all night, sank the go-ahead three-pointer to prevent Indiana from falling into a 0-3 hole in the series (video here).
A few possessions before Nembhard’s heroics, the Knicks had a golden opportunity to take the lead late with the score tied at 102. With just over two minutes left in the contest, the Knicks managed to force a live-ball turnover. But Hart had his fastbreak layup swatted off the glass by Pacers center Myles Turner.
WHAT A SEQUENCE!
Knicks steal. Pacers block. Pacers bucket.
2-point game with under 2 to go on ESPN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/3cRAgS4aWZ
— NBA (@NBA) May 11, 2024
Was this a goaltend on Myles Turner late in the 4th quarter? pic.twitter.com/ninLPS0b0M
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) May 11, 2024
The referees felt like it was a clean block, but Hart felt otherwise.
“I know it was a goaltend. I saw it,” Hart told reporters after the game. “What time was that? When I saw it, it was a goaltend. But obviously, they didn’t call it.”
"I know it was a goaltend. I saw it."
– Josh Hart on Myles Turner's block on his layup attempt with two minutes left pic.twitter.com/VZN4F9vMxI
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 11, 2024
A goaltending call would have given the Knicks a two-point lead heading into the closing minutes. Instead, the Pacers immediately scored on the other end to take a 104-102 lead.
Hart finished the contest with 10 points and a game-high 18 rebounds over 43 minutes of action.
