Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on Monday was in no mood to discuss the officiating after his team’s series-opening loss to the New York Knicks.
The Pacers fell to the Knicks 121-117 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup at Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y.
Indiana held a lead for the majority of the fourth quarter but could not hold on until the final buzzer. One controversial call loomed large on the final result.
With less than 20 seconds left in the contest, the Pacers had possession while trailing 118-117. But before Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton could make a move, Myles Turner was whistled for an offensive foul on a moving screen.
Was this an offensive on Myles Turner?
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 7, 2024
During his postgame press conference, Carlisle was asked about the call. The Pacers coach said that he’s not surprised the Knicks got a favorable whistle.
“I don’t want to talk about the officiating. We’re not expecting to get calls in here,” said Carlisle.
"I don't want to talk about the officiating. We're not expecting to get calls in here."
Rick Carlisle on Myles Turner's late moving screen and the officiating tonight: pic.twitter.com/uzHTXa8Sma
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 7, 2024
The Pacers also got burned by a kicked ball call a few possessions earlier. The call, which negated a potential Knicks turnover, was later deemed erroneous on the pool report by crew chief Zach Zarba.
The refs called this a kick ball… THE REFS CALLED THIS A KICK BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ew7zOP8lE7
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) May 7, 2024
It didn’t help that Indiana got a miserable game from Haliburton. The Pacers guard finished with 6 points and 8 assists on 2/6 shooting. Fans mercilessly tormented Haliburton on social media after the loss.
