The Indiana Pacers suffered a tough loss to the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Monday. Despite being the No. 7 seed, the Pacers played well and trailed for most of the game against the second-seeded Knicks. However, questionable calls by referees against Indiana in the fourth quarter, including moving screens and snap balls, turned out to be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
The Knicks secured a narrow victory with a score of 121-117 at home, with Jalen Brunson leading the way with 43 points. Despite some controversy surrounding the game, fans and analysts alike agreed that it was an exciting opening to what could be an epic series between two talented teams.
As expected, much of the conversation following Game 1 centered on the refereeing decisions made during key moments in the game. Different reactions came from various sports figures, including Joel Embiid and NFL players who were more critical of some of the calls made on behalf of Indiana. Many observers believed that Myles Turner was disadvantaged by these decisions and felt that they had a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle refrained from discussing any controversial aspects of Game 1 but admitted that they weren’t expecting favorable calls from referees. Fans and analysts alike acknowledged that officiating had a negative impact on both teams’ performances but also emphasized that ultimately, players should decide how games are won or lost.
Game 2 between the Knicks and Pacers will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Wednesday at 8 PM ET, where both teams will be looking for redemption after what was an intense first matchup between them.