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[Saba Sports News] The New York Knicks are battling to steer clear of the play-in tournament, and during a defeat against the Miami Heat, Coach Tom Thibodeau implied that the referees were a hindrance to his team. Jalen Brunson managed to score 20 points, albeit inefficiently with a 5/18 shooting, in the Knicks’ 109-99 setback against Miami, while also committing 5 turnovers. When questioned about Brunson’s atypical game performance, Thibodeau acknowledged that Brunson can’t be expected to excel in every game.
However, he then criticized the officiating, repeatedly emphasizing that Brunson was being fouled with a simple, repeated message, underscoring Brunson’s lack of free throws compared to the fouls he sustained.
Thibodeau’s comments likely extended beyond just that night’s game, referencing a previous incident where Brunson was thought to have been fouled during a critical moment in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which ultimately led to a Knicks defeat. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared that NBA referees view Brunson as someone who actively seeks fouls, a strategy they are increasingly less willing to accommodate, likening his tactics to those of other notable players known for drawing fouls.
This recent loss places the Knicks in a precarious position with a 44-31 record, narrowly maintaining a lead over the Heat for a direct playoff position rather than facing the play-in tournament. Thibodeau’s outspoken critique seems aimed at drawing attention from the NBA as his team enters a pivotal phase of the season, though it might also attract a fine.