It was the Knicks’ toughest test yet.
In the physcial 111-106 loss with a likely not fully healthy Jalen Brunson and without OG Anunoby (hamstring), the Knicks saw Game 3 slip from their fingers after a deep three-pointer stunner from Andrew Nembhard and a failed tying shot from Brunson.
This time, the Knicks came away with some referee complaints of their own, looking for late-game calls to fall their way, including a potential goaltending rule.
After the game, Josh Hart claimed there was one official who was “unapproachable,” which made it difficult to understand how he was calling certain fouls.
The forward, who had 10 points and a historic 18 rebounds, didn’t go into more detail to avoid a fine.
Despite the lack of foul calls, Donte DiVincenzo’s playoff career-high 35-point night nor Brunson’s 26 points and a bench surge surprise from Alec Burks were enough to keep Tyrese Haliburton and Co. at bay from earning a win in the series.
However, Knicks are still massive favorites (-400) to win the series despite the injuries. Game 4 is set for Sunday, May 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Follow the Post’s live updates for the latest 2024 NBA Playoffs news, highlights and more.
Josh Hart says that one of the referees was unapproachable tonight. In Game 2 of the Knicks series against the Pacers, Jalen Brunson missed the majority of the first half due to a foot injury. Prior to Game 3, he was listed as questionable on the Knicks' injury report but he still put out 26 points in the 111-106 loss. He managed 38 minutes on Friday night -- six more than he tallied in Game 2 -- and didn't admit the injury was an issue. Jalen Brunson says his foot injury did not impact him tonight: Josh Hart says 'unapproachable' ref made it tough to understand foul calls
By Bridget Reilly
On the officiating: "I like my money. I'm gonna keep my money." pic.twitter.com/67naAr4iR0Jalen Brunson claims foot injury wasn't an issue in Game 3
By Bridget Reilly
"If I'm out there, I'm playing. There's no excuse whether I'm hurting or not. If I'm hurting, I'll come out." pic.twitter.com/9UfNPxSWPT
Donte DiVincenzo on scoring 35 points in a playoff game:
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 11, 2024
"We took an L. That's how I view it. It doesn't mean anything." pic.twitter.com/3TlcSQevLa
With the game tied 102-102 with two minutes and three seconds remaining, Myles Turner denied Josh Hart's drive to the rim.
Maybe he was looking to draw a foul, but after what was called a block by the officials, Hart was looking for a goaltend call.
"I know it was a goaltend. I saw it," he said after the Knicks' 111-106 Game 3 loss to the Pacers.
"I saw it. That was a goaltend. But, obviously, they didn't call it."
Was this a goaltend on Myles Turner late in the 4th quarter? pic.twitter.com/ninLPS0b0M
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) May 11, 2024
Josh Hart said “I know it was a goaltend. I saw it.” pic.twitter.com/sFZ3tS6QF0
— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) May 11, 2024
Jalen Brunson talks about his late three-point attempt with the Knicks down 3:
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 11, 2024
"It's a terrible decision and something I need to learn from." pic.twitter.com/9oZ6CZOBWO
The Pacers changed up their plan on a hobbled Jalen Brunson and they kept him to 10-of-26 from the field.
Aaron Nesmith was charged with the task of limiting the Knicks star on Friday night over Andrew Nembhard, who guarded Brunson in earlier in the series that saw him score 43 and 29 points in Game 1 and 2, respectively.
"We can't give New York a recipe of the same thing over and over again. They're gonna adjust. Brunson's too great a player."
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 11, 2024
Rick Carlisle talks about putting Aaron Nesmith on Jalen Brunson instead of Andrew Nembhard: pic.twitter.com/XPAauUJhlu
Brunson tallied 26 in Game 3 across 38 minutes. He went in and out of the game to monitor his foot injury that kept him questionable prior to Friday's game.
"I expect a bounce back on Mothers Day & I am confident in this Knicks team," CP "The Franchise" of Knicks Fans TV said.
"From my vantage point, I thought those calls could've gone our way but I'm not gonna comment until I look at the film. We've just got to find a way to win, that's the bottom-line."
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 11, 2024
- Tom Thibodeau on the officiating late in the game tonight pic.twitter.com/9qv7i2dwlu
INDIANAPOLIS — They would’ve put the win on Mount Gritmore.
Instead, the undermanned Knicks were buried by a prayer from Andrew Nembhard and a bad shot from Jalen Brunson, losing another barnburner Friday night, 111-106, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Nembhard hit the biggest and most improbable shot, stepping back from 35-feet with the shot-clock dwindling and 16.4 seconds remaining.
It broke a tie but gave the Knicks another possession to send the game into OT. But Brunson, anticipating a foul, bricked an off-balance trey with 12 seconds left.
Donte DiVincenzo wasn't the only one to earn a record on Friday night.
Josh Hart, who had 10 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Knicks 111-106 loss to the Pacers, is the first Knick to tally at least 15 rebounds in consecutive playoff games since Patrick Ewing.
DiVincenzo's 35 points was a career-playoff high.
Josh Hart is the first Knicks player to have 15 rebounds in back-to-back playoff games since Patrick Ewing in 1999 pic.twitter.com/zuAcZn90ax
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 11, 2024
We won’t cry
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 11, 2024
After wild three-pointer exchanges between Jalen Brunson and Andrew Nembhard, Brunson failed to come up with the tying shot in the final seconds that led to a Knicks 111-106 loss on Friday night.
Donte DiVincenzo finished the game with 35 points and Brunson followed with 26.
Game 4 is set for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. with the Knicks leading 2-1.
Brunson tries to tie the game but throws up a tough shot and Pacers win pic.twitter.com/uVsrBUARYl
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 11, 2024
