Pacers’ Rick Carlisle Blasts Refs After Game 2 Loss to Knicks

Andy Nesbitt | May 9, 2024

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was not happy with the officiating in Indiana's Game 2 loss to the Knicks. /

The Indians Pacers lost to the New York Knicks, 130-121, in Game 2 of their second round series on Wednesday night and now trail 2-0 as it shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Friday night.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was not happy with the officiating after the loss and he didn't hold back his feelings while talking with the media. Carlisle, who will probably be fined by the NBA for his postgame comments, didn't think the refs called a "fair" game and he even brought up how a small-market team deserves "an equal shot" against a big-market team like the Knicks.

Here he is talking about deserving a fair shake:

"We deserve a fair shot... I'm just really disappointed."

Pacers HC Rick Carlisle comments on the officiating in Game 2 pic.twitter.com/bq0LiF2G2A

— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 9, 2024

Here's his take on market size:

Rick Carlisle on the overturned double-dribble call toward the end of Q4 tonight:

"That's small beans compared to everything else. Small market teams deserve an equal shot. They deserve a fair shot no matter where they're playing" pic.twitter.com/Es671ejSPm

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 9, 2024

That sure seems like a lot of complaining for a coach whose team came very close to winning each of the first two games in Madison Square Garden.

We'll have to see if the Pacers can get back into this series with a few home games coming up. Also, we'll have to see how much money the league will likely be taking from their coach.