NEW YORK, NY – The New York Knicks are submitting a protest in response to their recent loss to the Houston Rockets, according to a league source. The controversial finish of the game has sparked discussion and debate among fans and analysts.
During the final moments of the game, Rockets guard Aaron Holiday made a critical 3-pointer after a foul was called on Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. However, after a postgame review, crew chief Ed Malloy acknowledged that the call was a mistake, and the play should not have been considered a foul. This admission has prompted the Knicks to pursue a protest in hopes of rectifying the situation.
In order to succeed in their protest, the Knicks must demonstrate that the referees misapplied a rule, showing that the outcome of the game was affected by their error. This presents a significant challenge, as protests of this nature are rarely granted.
Citing previous incidents, the Rockets do not appear overly concerned about the potential protest by the Knicks. They refer to a prior protest they filed in 2019, which ultimately did not result in a favorable outcome. The arduous and costly nature of the protest process may also deter the Knicks from pursuing their claim.
As the Knicks pursue their protest, the controversy surrounding the game’s outcome continues to unfold, sparking conversations about the role of officiating in professional sports and the potential impact of a successful protest on the NBA’s future decisions.