Featured Columnist IVMay 1, 2024
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
The last-two-minute report is once again under the spotlight in the first-round playoff series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia trailed by six in the final 30 seconds of regulation during Tuesday’s Game 5 before Tyrese Maxey completed a four-point play and then hit another three to force overtime, where the 76ers eventually won 112-106.
However, as Ian Begley of SNY relayed, the NBA’s last-two-minute report released Wednesday showed that the 76ers guard actually traveled on the four-point play:
Ian Begley @IanBegley
In its 2-minute report, NBA says refs missed a travel on Tyrese Maxey on his 4-point play late in 4th Q of PHI’s Game 5 win vs NYK. Several other missed calls as well. pic.twitter.com/IFyiBdS5sa
Had the officials correctly called the traveling violation, the Knicks surely would have won and closed out the series in five games. They would have had the ball with 25 seconds remaining and a six-point lead and simply needed to convert their free throws at a reasonable rate and avoid turnovers to advance to the second round.
However, Philadelphia fans likely won’t feel any sympathy for New York.
After all, the Knicks rallied back from a five-point deficit in the final 30 seconds in Game 2 thanks in large part to some missed calls. Jalen Brunson hit a three-pointer, Josh Hart then stole the ball from Maxey and Donte DiVincenzo then hit a three-pointer that put the Knicks ahead for good.
Yet the last-two-minute report said New York fouled Maxey multiple times on the steal. What’s more, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse should have been granted a timeout before the steal:
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
The NBA also finds that:
– Brunson did pull on Maxey’s jersey, and it should have been called.
– Maxey’s push-off on Hart was marginal and should not have been called.
– Nurse should have gotten a timeout. pic.twitter.com/eEc5c2yE3u
Much like Game 5, the outcome likely would have been different if the officials had made the correct calls.
The high-profile officiating mistakes likely continue to be frustrating for both sides, but they seemed to have somewhat evened out as the series shifts to Philadelphia for Thursday’s Game 6.
If the 76ers capitalize on home-court advantage in that one, the pressure will then fall on the Knicks to avoid a 3-1 collapse during Saturday’s Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.