NEW YORK — Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner was correctly called for an illegal screen in the final seconds of the New York Knicks’ controversial 121-117 Game 1 win, according to the NBA’s Final Two Minutes report released Tuesday night.
With about 15 seconds left in the game, and Indiana trailing 118-117, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton dribbled to the ground while Turner set a high screen on New York’s Donte DiVincenzo, causing him to fall to the ground. Turner was immediately called for an offensive foul, prompting the Pacers to challenge the call.
The Pacers were unsuccessful in meeting the challenge, and the league report stuck to that verdict on Tuesday.
However, there were a total of four missed calls in the final two minutes, according to the league report: Turner should have been whistled for an illegal breakaway screen on DiVincenzo in the backcourt with about 10 seconds remaining; There was a foul layup violation called by Aaron Nesmith with 53 seconds left. Before that, officials erred in calling a three-second defensive violation on Turner with 1:19 left in the game.
After the defeat in the first game, Turner said: “From my experience in this league, I think it’s best for the players to decide the outcome of the game,” adding that he looked forward to issuing a last-minute report.
After Turner was called, the Knicks hit three free throws to put the game away. Moments before the call, DiVincenzo had put the Knicks up 118-115 with his 28-foot 3-pointer that came on the heels of a crucial tipped ball foul on Nesmith — one that likely would have led to a fast break at Indiana if not for the foul call.
Crew chief Zach Zarba admitted after the game that a kicked ball should not have been called. “The post-game review showed the ball hit the defender’s hand, which would be legal,” he told pool reporter Fred Katz of The Athletic.
The Knicks and Pacers are scheduled to square off in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
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