The New York Knicks recently made headlines as they filed a protest with the NBA following their narrow 105-103 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night. Sources have confirmed that the Knicks decided to take this action on Tuesday evening, citing the NBA's Last Two Minute Report and game crew chief Ed Malloy's acknowledgment of an incorrectly called foul on Knicks guard Jalen Brunson against Houston's Aaron Holiday in the final second of the game.
The crucial play in question occurred when Holiday was awarded two free throws with less than a second remaining on the clock. He made the first two shots and intentionally missed the third to prevent the Knicks from having an opportunity to tie or win the game. The Knicks' protest aims to either have the game re-started in overtime or result in a resolution that doesn't count as a loss for the team.
However, it's important to note that a protest must successfully demonstrate the 'misapplication' of a rule, rather than simply highlighting a missed call. The Knicks, who have been dealing with injuries and have recently suffered three consecutive losses, are hoping for a favorable outcome. The upcoming All-Star Break will provide a much-needed opportunity for the team to regroup and recover.
Only six protests have been upheld in the history of the NBA. ESPN Stats & Information research reveals that the league rarely supports protests. The most recent successful protest occurred on December 19, 2007, when the Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal was erroneously ruled to have committed six fouls instead of five. The game was eventually resumed on March 8, 2008, but neither team scored in the 51.9 seconds that were replayed from overtime, resulting in a 114-111 victory for the Atlanta Hawks. It's important to note that O'Neal had been traded to the Phoenix Suns before the game was resumed.
As the Knicks await a decision from the NBA, their 33-21 record currently places them fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. Regardless of the outcome of their protest, the team will benefit from some much-needed rest and recovery during the All-Star Break. Fans and critics alike will be eagerly awaiting the league's ruling and its potential impact on the Knicks' season.
