Jalen Brunson Addresses Call That Referee Admits Was Wrong Late in Loss to Rockets

The New York Knicks guard was not too happy with the late foul call that cost his team the game on Monday night.

New York Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson addressed the questionable late foul call that propelled the Houston Rockets to a 105–103 home win on Monday night.

With the game tied at 103, Rockets guard Aaron Holiday squared up for a three-point jumper on the wing as time was expiring. Brunson rushed out to contest the shot, and although contact appeared negligible (at best), the Knicks guard was called for a foul with one-tenth of a second remaining. Brunson couldn’t believe the call, and neither could head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Holiday made two of this three free-throw attempts, and the Rockets escaped with a two-point home upset victory. 

When asked about the foul after the game, the Knicks guard refused to open up the proverbial can of worms.

“Great call, next question,” Brunson said repeatedly after each question about the foul call.

Jalen Brunson wasn't trying to give Adam Silver any of that paycheck pic.twitter.com/YPhSCkcWcW

— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) February 13, 2024

Thibodeaux responded in a similar manner when asked about the late-game officiating.

“Tough way to lose a game,” he said repeatedly.

Thibodeau was then asked directly if he thought Brunson fouled Holiday, which he responded to directly, but without too much direct criticism that would get him fined.

“You look at it,” he said as he shook his head.

The head crew chief for the game, Ed Malloy, said that he believed the right call was made in real time, but after seeing a replay after the game, determined that the foul should not have been called.

“In live action, it was felt that the lower body contact was illegal contact. After seeing it during postgame review, the offensive player was able to return to a normal playing position on the floor. The contact which occurred after the release of the ball therefore is incidental and marginal to the shot attempt and should not have been called.”

It was a frustrating loss for the Knicks, who have been one of the surprise teams in the Eastern Conference this season. New York dropped to 33–21 on the season. They’re back in action on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic.