NBA Ref Admits to One of the Worst Foul Calls of the Year — Which Cost NY Knicks a Game

Ahmad Austin Jr.Feb 13th, 2024, 10:43 am
 

NBA referee Ed Malloy admitted that a late-game foul was incorrectly called at the end of Monday’s New York Knicks game. The foul lost the Knicks the game.

The game between the Knicks and the Houston Rockets was tied at 103 with about eight seconds left. The Rockets ran a play out of a timeout to get a good look at a potential game-winning shot. Guard Jalen Green tried to attack the basket for a layup but was blocked by forward Precious Achiuwa. The ball was deflected right at Rockets guard Aaron Holiday, who threw up an acrobatic 3-point attempt with Knicks guard Jalen Brunson defending him.

Holiday missed the shot, but the Knicks were stunned to hear Brunson whistled for a foul. Replays of the play showed Brunson did make contact with Holiday after he released the ball, but Holiday was able to land safely. By rule, that contact isn’t deemed a foul. The Rockets won 105-103.

After the game, Malloy acknowledged his officiating crew made a mistake.

“After seeing it during postgame review, the offensive player was able to return to a normal playing position on the floor,” Malloy told reporters. “The contact which occurred after the release of the ball therefore is incidental and marginal to the shot attempt and should not have been called.”

Brunson, likely wanting to avoid a fine by the league for criticizing officials, sarcastically said, “Great call. Next question,’ when he was repeatedly asked about the play.

Watch above via MSG Networks

Tags: