The Knicks were able to pull out a massive 118-116 win over the Pistons on Thursday night, regaining a 2-1 advantage in their first round series.
New York made some clutch baskets down the stretch — but it wasn’t without some high-stress moments.
With the Knicks leading by one and just seconds remaining on the clock, Jalen Brunson was fouled on an inbound — sending him to the line for a pair of free throws as he looked to put the game on ice.
Brunson knocked down the first shot with ease to make it a two-point ballgame, and then intentionally missed the second since there was not enough time remaining for the Pistons to get up a reasonable shot — but that’s where things went a little haywire.
After the time clock operator started the clock too early, refs stopped play and after a review, they awarded the ball to the Pistons with just 0.5 seconds remaining in regulation.
While it still would’ve taken a miracle, things could’ve went a bit south for the Knicks — but Detroit big man Jalen Duren turned over the inbounds pass and New York regained possession to close out the victory.
No harm no foul, but Tom Thibodeau did not agree with the call.
“They said that’s what’s in the rules,” the head coach said. “It’s doesn’t seem right to me, it’s unfortunate — that should never happen ever in a playoff game. Never happen.”
Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns joked that’s the benefit of homecourt advantage.
“We’re in Detroit, what do you expect?” Hart said.
“I ain’t gonna lie, shoutout to the table,” Towns joked. “Giving your team another chance like that is fire — I gotta give them a lot of respect for that. I ain’t never seen something like that in 10 years of playing in the NBA.”
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