New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after a call during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Knicks protesting Monday's loss because of controversial call

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 2/13/24

The New York Knicks have officially filed a protest with the NBA to dispute their 105-103 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night.

The protest comes after both the NBA's Last Two Minute Report and the crew chief's admission that a late foul on Jalen Brunson was incorrectly called. That foul call, which came with less than a second to play in a tie game, sent the Rockets' Aaron Holiday to the line for three foul shots. He made his first to give the Rockets the lead and then intentionally missed his third attempt so the clock would expire.

Here is a look at the ending of the game.

It is not unheard of for the NBA to uphold a protest, but it is incredibly rare.

It has happened just six times in league history, with the most recent incident happening during the 2007 season when Shaquille O'Neal was incorrectly credited with six fouls to remove him from the game. The game was resumed two months later from the point in the game where O'Neal was incorrectly fouled out.

The NBA upholding this protest would almost certainly result in a similar conclusion.

The fact the game's crew chief and the two-minute report all acknowledged the incorrect call might give the Knicks a fighting chance here. Given that it was a tied game and there was less than a second remaining, it would probably result in the playing of an overtime period.

The only potential obstacle is that the Rockets and Knicks are not scheduled to play again this season. But that should not stand in the way of getting the call — and the result — correct. Especially given how important that result is for both teams.

The Knicks, currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, are fighting for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Rockets are trying to get themselves into the play-in games in the Western Conference.

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