Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton "desperately" wants to play through the left hamstring soreness that's ultimately sidelining him for Game 3 of the team's Eastern Conference Finals series against the Boston Celtics.

However, head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters (h/t James Boyd of The Athletic) that the decision to sit Haliburton was made by the Pacers' training staff.

Haliburton, who just made the All-NBA Third Team, averaged 20.1 points, a league-high 10.9 assists and 3.9 assists this regular season for the Pacers, who made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014.

The Pacers were already facing an uphill battle against the Celtics after falling behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. Now Indiana, which is home for the next two games, faces an even greater challenge without its best player.

Haliburton's status for Game 4, which is scheduled for Monday evening, is also in "serious question," per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Without Haliburton, the onus is on T.J. McConnell to step into the starting lineup. McConnell has been sensational this postseason, averaging 10.8 points and 5.1 assists in just 19.6 minutes per game. Pacers rookie Ben Sheppard should also see more playing time. Other candidates for more minutes include Doug McDermott and Jarace Walker.

Ultimately, losing Haliburton is tough for the Pacers against a 64-win Celtics team that's gone 10-2 in the playoffs thus far. But Indiana has also proven to be a resilient team that's overcome obstacles along the way to a great season.

We'll find out soon enough if the Pacers can pull off the big upset sans Haliburton when they host Boston on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The Indiana Pacers will be missing a key piece against the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will not play against the Celtics on Saturday night due to a hamstring injury and his status for Game 4. "also remains in serious question."

Haliburton is out for Game 3 and will be reassessed ahead of Game 4 on Monday — but his availability for that game also remains in serious question, sources tell ESPN. Pacers will err on side of caution with their franchise star. https://t.co/cZgdtjhCG6

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 25, 2024

The 24-year-old's injury flared up in the second half of Game 2 against Boston, as he sat out during the entire fourth quarter due to hamstring issues.

Per Charania and Vardon, Haliburton underwent an MRI on Saturday that showed a strain and he's currently considered "day to day." He was reportedly "hoping to play" in Game 3, but doctors ultimately made the call to keep him out.

Haliburton previously suffered a hamstring strain on Jan. 8 and missed 10 games as a result. After Indiana's 126-110 defeat on Thursday, head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed that he aggravated the prior injury (h/t ESPN's Jamal Collier).

If he's unable to suit up, it'll be a tough blow to a Pacers team that relies on Haliburton as an offensive engine. In 14 playoff appearances before Game 2, he averaged 19.3 points and 8.2 assists each night on 48.8/38.1/85.0 shooting splits.

He's also been growing more comfortable in a postseason setting, shooting at least 50 percent from the field in seven of his past eight playoff games.

However, Indiana still has a shot without the team's lead guard. The Pacers went 6-4 in the 10-game stretch that Haliburton missed earlier in the season, including impressive wins over playoff teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.

They also boast one of the NBA's top backup point guards in T.J. McConnell, who is averaging 10.8 points and 5.1 assists in just 19.6 minutes per game for Indiana during the postseason.

The Pacers will attempt to stay unbeaten at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the 2024 playoffs on Saturday night, even if they're shorthanded. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Tyrese Haliburton came out of Thursday night's Game 2 matchup against the Boston Celtics and did not return.

The Indiana Pacers' star point guard was ruled out with leg soreness during the second half, but head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed after the game that the issue was a hamstring injury.

Carlisle added information about the setback but didn't know much about the player's status going forward:

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Tyrese Haliburton's hamstring was sore at halftime, but he came out and played through it in the third quarter.

He said they will monitor Haliburton's status over the next two days before Game 3

— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) May 24, 2024

Rick Carlisle on Tyrese Haliburton's left hamstring injury:

"We'll know more tomorrow and even more Saturday"

Illuminating #Pacers

— Dave Griffiths (@DaveG_Sports) May 24, 2024

In January, Haliburton was sidelined for 10 games with a left hamstring strain.

He was also reportedly dealing with chest soreness and spent most of the halftime break in the Celtics' medical exam room and underwent imaging.

Carlisle added that Haliburton had tests done after a blow to the chest while competing for a rebound with Jaylen Brown. #Pacers https://t.co/2y9jvz4K3y

— Tim Crowley (@tcrowley37) May 24, 2024

After powering through the chest soreness coming out of halftime, he was sidelined with hamstring soreness.

Haliburton had 10 points, eight assists and four rebounds when he exited the game in the eventual 126-110 loss.

His exit came as the Pacers were battling to win a crucial Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana dropped Game 1 in overtime after Jaylen Brown's game-tying three with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The latest loss drops the team to 0-2 in the series.

Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, had 25 points, 10 assists and three steals in Game 1, but his big night wasn't enough to power the Pacers past Boston. In the playoffs, he is averaging 19.3 points and 8.2 assists per game.

Though he has been inconsistent at times in the postseason, Haliburton has been pivotal for Indiana. He had back-to-back 30-plus-point performances in the conference semifinals and led the Pacers to a dominant win in Game 7 against the New York Knicks behind his 26 points.

Indiana is now hoping Haliburton's injury is nothing serious so he can get back on the court for Game 3. His chest soreness will also be something to monitor.

The Pacers are looking for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, but getting there will be much more difficult if Haliburton has to miss any more time. For now, Indiana will look to Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and the rest of the committee for increased production.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner said in an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews on NBA Today that "everybody and their mother is rooting for Boston right now" in advance of his team's Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Boston Celtics.

“We’re not done yet. We didn’t come this far just to get this far.”

Myles Turner joins NBA Today to talk the Eastern Conference Finals — and of course, LEGOs! pic.twitter.com/tzft1zbta6

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 21, 2024

Turner's remarks were part of a response to Andrews' question: "What gives you confidence that you can push past the Celtics?" His full answer was as follows:

"Our confidence is just in our preparation in ourselves, you know, I think that we're built for these moments. You know, just the roster that we have and the things that we've been through this year.

"You know, like you said, you mentioned the in-season tournament, being able to play such high-level games so early in the season, get that experience that was much-needed, something that helps us. I'm just excited for the opportunity more than anything, I think we all are.

"I think everybody and their mother is rooting for Boston right now. But in our city, in our locker room, we're very confident in ourselves."

The Celtics have enough haters out there to assume that not everyone is rooting for them, but one would be hard-pressed to find many people outside Indianapolis and the most ardent of Pacers fans who believe Indiana is going to win this series.

The 64-18 Celtics won 17 more games than the 47-35 Pacers this regular season. They also took the regular season series, albeit by just a 3-2 margin. Boston also holds homecourt advantage, which is important for a team that went 37-4 at TD Garden in the regular season.

The Pacers have enjoyed a great run, though, and having the NBA's top-scoring offense (and second-most efficient unit on that end) could give Boston some problems. And they certainly have the confidence, as Turner said, to get the job done given their run thus far.

The series will start shortly with Boston hosting Indiana for Game 1 on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

After facing a hostile crowd at Madison Square Garden earlier in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, TNT analyst Reggie Miller got the last laugh when the Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks in Sunday's Game 7.

Miller took to Instagram to troll the Knicks, referencing a moment he shared with Knicks guard Josh Hart and writing, "When the series CHANGED!! Jalen Brunson you're a true BALLER, been the best player in these playoffs, but you and your boys can all heal up together on some beautiful beaches in Cancun, please enjoy!!"

Reggie Miller on IG. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6JcPuZcUnz

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 19, 2024

The video that Miller posted featured an exchange with Hart during New York's 130-121 win in Game 2.

The Pacers won the next two games to tie the series. To make matters worse, New York lost star swingman OG Anunoby to a strained hamstring in Game 3. After cruising to a 30-point win in Game 5, the Knicks lost the next two games by double digits to end their season on a sour note. Brunson even suffered a fractured hand in Game 7 on Sunday that forced him to miss most of the second half.

Of course, Miller has his own history with New York dating back to his playing days with Indiana. He was a part of one of the most memorable moments in NBA playoff history when he scored eight points in nine seconds to lead the Pacers over the Knicks in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Miller wasn't alone in his trolling of the Knicks after their loss on Sunday. Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce posted a video on social media of him stomping Brunson's jersey. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton wore a hoodie with Miller's photo on it to the post-game press conference.

🤫🤫🤫😂😂 pic.twitter.com/V406pwtbuu

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 19, 2024

Tyrese Haliburton in a Reggie Miller sweatshirt after winning Game 7 at the Garden 😈 pic.twitter.com/TKuOc3t1zu

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 19, 2024

The Knicks will surely be motivated to bounce back and get their revenge against the Pacers in the 2024-25 season.

First, Tyrese Haliburton sent the New York Knicks home.

Then, he didn't miss an opportunity to troll them on the way out.

Haliburton wore a sweatshirt with Reggie Miller's infamous choking gesture during his postgame press conference after leading his Indiana Pacers to a 130-109 victory in Game 7 of their second-round series against the Knicks:

Tyrese Haliburton in a Reggie Miller sweatshirt after winning Game 7 at the Garden 😈 pic.twitter.com/TKuOc3t1zu

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 19, 2024

Miller famously scored 25 points in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks to help his Indiana team overcome a double-digit deficit and seize a 3-2 series lead. He also made the choking pose toward movie director Spike Lee, who is a Knicks fan and frequently sits courtside, during that comeback.

Miller took to Instagram after Sunday's game:

Reggie Miller on IG. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6JcPuZcUnz

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 19, 2024

However, New York won the final two games of that series and advanced to the NBA Finals.

That's one major difference from this year's series, as Haliburton's Pacers defeated the Knicks in seven games thanks to Sunday's victory. He was excellent in the decisive contest with 26 points, six assists and four rebounds on 10-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-12 shooting from deep.

Haliburton also didn't hesitate to talk trash throughout the series, so it feels fitting that he landed one more jab with the sweatshirt before Indiana turns its attention to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Talk about a statement performance.

The Indiana Pacers evened their second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks at two apiece with a commanding 121-89 victory in Sunday's Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The home team has won every game in this series thus far, and the Pacers left no doubt the pattern would continue.

Tyrese Haliburton did a little bit of everything with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists as one of six Pacers to score in double figures. Fellow guard T.J. McConnell notched a double-double of 15 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and two steals, while Myles Turner didn't miss a shot on his way to 13 points, five rebounds and three blocks.

Jalen Brunson had 18 points for the Knicks, but he was just 6-of-17 from the field as Indiana's defense made life difficult on him.

Social media had no shortage of reactions to the blowout:

Knicks fans rn pic.twitter.com/YIiSB3iG8U

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2024

FEELING IT 😤 https://t.co/jEQiSEOqae pic.twitter.com/SErVns3FSV

— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2024

The Pacers had the pedal to the metal in the first half 🏎️ pic.twitter.com/IrJjCWFyYH

— ESPN (@espn) May 12, 2024

https://twitter.com/Sportztalking/status/1789747478562013196

the entire Pacers roster right now pic.twitter.com/3sdhN1SkBO

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) May 12, 2024

Still thought the Pacers were the better/deeper team even after the first two games.

Combination of bad calls in G1, Pacers folding late in G2 and having no answer for Brunson dug them the hole.

Now a three-game series. Gotta find a way to win one at the Garden.

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) May 12, 2024

https://twitter.com/dontwatchthatgg/status/1789757307137516006

Again, with the caveat of injuries, a really nice discovery for the Pacers is how many of their guys are playoff viable. Nembhard looks more comfortable and effective than Darius Garland. Toppin belongs. Hali figured it out with enough reps

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 12, 2024

#Pacers thoughts:

-Clinic. Surgical. Beat down. Damn impressive.

-Haliburton looking fully healthy (after Game 3) is equally as important

-Thibs has to think about resting his Big 3. Has to.

-Were the Knicks at Tin Roof last night?

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) May 12, 2024

During the two big Knicks losing streaks this regular season, opponents 3PT% went through the roof by nearly 5% vs. season average. It was not variance, it was the on-ball perimeter defense falling apart. Everyone was getting beat off-the-dribble, and they have to send help from…

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 12, 2024

The coolest thing for me watching TJ McConnell is that he called me a few days after his career ended at Arizona.

Asked me whether I thought he was good enough to play in the NBA.

Now in his 9th season and having a HUGE impact for Pacers in postseason.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 12, 2024

Knicks should make a movie. They got a team full of actors

— 🆁🆄🆂🆃🆈 (@PacersStatsMuse) May 12, 2024

the knicks hate mothers

— Desus MF Nice💯 (@desusnice) May 12, 2024

The Knicks have the most overworked starting lineup in the NBA what are any of them still doing in this game? Tuesday has suddenly become a must-win for New York.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) May 12, 2024

Knicks fans - you did ask for an stress-free game that didn’t come down to the final seconds!! lol https://t.co/q3kcNvoQxN

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) May 12, 2024

Leading by 43 pic.twitter.com/vVWaabQBxB

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) May 12, 2024

all the knicks have to do is go on a 35-0 run to close the game and they’ll only lose by 5

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 12, 2024

It has seemed like the Knicks are barely hanging on at times in this series with OG Anunoby missing Game 3 and Sunday's contest with a hamstring injury, Brunson playing through a foot injury, and the trio of Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanović already out.

Indiana didn't exactly show any mercy.

It built a 23-point lead in the first quarter alone before taking a 28-point advantage into the halftime locker room. Haliburton and Turner each found their stroke from deep, while Pascal Siakam seemingly couldn't miss inside the arc.

The bench also deserved plenty of credit, as McConnell and Obi Toppin provided a spark and only extended the lead. McConnell in particular was bothering Brunson on the defensive side all while facilitating and attacking the lane when he had the ball in his hands.

Tyrese Haliburton from way downtown 🏙️ pic.twitter.com/BeuWZwcgEn

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 12, 2024

A Hali Hammer on the #PhantomCam 📹 https://t.co/6x1n3zOBOM pic.twitter.com/vp33jQfPVf

— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2024

Obi Toppin catches the lob and goes for the reverse 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Sf9A5d3vqm

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 12, 2024

The only question remaining in the second half was how many points the Pacers would win by in front of their raucous crowd.

All Indiana did was extend its lead to a stunning 38 points heading to the fourth. Neither team played its starters for the final 12 minutes, which was about the only silver lining for the Knicks. After all, head coach Tom Thibodeau doesn't use his bench much even when the team is healthier, so the starters at least got something of a rest.

It surely wasn't the rest they were looking for, but perhaps it will pay off when the series returns to New York for Tuesday's Game 5.

The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers played one of the grittiest playoff games in recent memory in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Friday and in the end, the Pacers won the battle of attrition 111-106.

Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton led the way for Indiana with 35 points and seven assists to help the team cut the series deficit to 2-1. Andrew Nembhard drilled a go-ahead three-pointer with under 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter to break a 106-106 tie and help secure the victory.

Indiana led by as many as 12 in the game before New York staged a comeback in the second half that made it look like it was on its way to a commanding 3-0 series lead. Donte DiVincenzo was lighting it up from downtown all night, pouring in a playoff career-high 35 points while shooting 7-of-11 from three-point range. Jalen Brunson added 26 points on 10-of-26 shooting.

However, Haliburton and the Pacers refused to go down quietly. The floor general delighted the home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as he helped the Pacers overcome a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Pascal Siakam added 26 points and Myles Turner had 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Fans on social media were impressed by Haliburton and the Pacers as they climbed back into the series:

Tyrese Haliburton is the best point guard in the east

— Yeah Yeah! (@YeahYeahOkBro) May 11, 2024

Tyrese Haliburton tonight pic.twitter.com/YMx6obnfSN

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 11, 2024

Pacers win 111-106. They take Game 3 and the series is now 2-1. They finally closed out a tight game in this series.

Haliburton was tremendous with 35 points. Game 4 on Sunday in this building.

— Tony East (@TonyREast) May 11, 2024

Tyrese Haliburton been hooping! Got to give credit when due. I’m not a hater 😂 they going need they scoring every single game

— More Muscle 💪🏽 (@PJ_More_Muscle) May 11, 2024

ANDREW NEMBHARD. WHAT A SHOT 😱

PACERS TAKE GAME 3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AdDmy1nA2r

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2024

Andrew Nembhard. pic.twitter.com/rrlv4NjX9j

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 11, 2024

NEMBHARD CLOSED HIS EYES AND HEAVED ONE AT THE SHOT CLOCK TO WIN IT AFTER HE COULDN'T MAKE AN OPEN SHOT ALL GAME.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2024

Unbelievable game.

Not an artistic masterpiece, but the intensity and effort on both sides in this series has been epic.

No idea how these guys are gonna do this again in 42 hours. #Knicks #Pacers

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) May 11, 2024

Watching this entire Knicks-Pacers series: pic.twitter.com/NkH66RBvsO

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) May 11, 2024

Haliburton has been streaky throughout the postseason, but he showed on Friday that he can carry the Pacers to victory. The two-time All-Star will need to remain consistent if he hopes to lead Indiana deeper into the postseason, and Friday's performance was a step in the right direction.

Haliburton and the Pacers will look to keep the momentum going when they host the Knicks in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.

The NBA announced Friday that Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has been fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating after Indiana's 130-121 loss the the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series on Wednesday.

In a press release, NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars noted that Carlisle was also responsible for "questioning the integrity of the league and its officials."

Carlisle was ejected near the end of Game 2 after receiving two technical fouls, and he voiced his displeasure with the officiating afterward, telling reporters: "I'm always talking to our guys about not making it about the officials, but we deserve a fair shot."

In Game 1, Indiana fell 121-117 to New York in controversial fashion, as several questionable calls went against the Pacers.

Among them was an erroneous kicked ball violation call against the Pacers, which was not corrected and cost them three points. Also, Pacers center Myles Turner was called for an offensive foul on a screen with 12.1 seconds left and the Pacers down by one, although the NBA's Last Two Minute Report determined that the latter call was correct.

Myles Turner: "We reviewed it; they still called it an illegal screen. But it’s the playoffs, man. I feel like DiVincenzo did a good job of selling it. For the most part you can’t leave the game to be decided by the refs. So we have to take accountability as well." pic.twitter.com/0GXYW3dZlQ

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) May 7, 2024

Carlisle told reporters that the Pacers organization had gathered 29 calls it felt went unfairly against them in Game 1 and planned to submit them to the league, but ultimately decided against it.

In explaining why, Carlisle said: "I decided not to submit them because I just felt like we'd get a more balanced whistle tonight. It didn't feel that way."

Given how Game 2 went, the Pacers reversed course and submitted what they believed to be 78 incorrect calls from both games to the league, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

After Game 2, Carlisle suggested that the officials were favoring the Knicks since they are among the NBA's biggest-market teams, saying: "Small-market teams deserve an equal shot. They deserve a fair shot no matter where they're playing."

The Pacers had their opportunities in both Game 1 and Game 2, but they head back to Indianapolis in a tough spot, trailing the second-seeded Knicks 2-0 in the series.

Even so, the Pacers are a dangerous team, as they upset the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and have a strong core of star players in Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Turner.

The Pacers also have the benefit of being the healthier team since the Knicks will be without OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson in Game 3. Also, Julius Randle is out for the season and superstar guard Jalen Brunson is questionable with a foot injury.

One win can completely turn the series around, and the Pacers will have their chance to do so when the host the Knicks in Game 3 on Friday night.

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was not pleased with the officiating during his team's 130-121 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series on Wednesday.

"Small-market teams deserve an equal shot," he told reporters when discussing the officiating. "We deserve a fair shot no matter where they're playing."

He also said the Pacers believed 29 plays were called incorrectly during their Game 1 loss on Monday but decided not to submit them to the NBA.

"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

Those plans are changing for Game 2, especially after the head coach was ejected near the end.

"We're gonna submit these calls tonight. New York, get ready, you're going to see them," Carlisle said. "We deserve a fair shot… there's not a consistent balance, that's disappointing."

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Thursday on Get Up that the Pacers submitted 78 plays to the NBA:

From what I am told, through the night the Pacers worked and early this morning they submitted 49 calls that they feel they were wronged about in Game 2. And while they were on the server, they slapped the other 29 calls from Game 1 to submit what they feel is 78 missed calls that went against them from Game 1 and Game 2. And by the way, the Knicks automatically get copied on that so when the Knicks wake up, they're going to have 78 clips should they want to review them. And so, what I think is going on here, obviously they're trying to make a point but my view is that the Pacers looking at how banged up the Knicks are, they think this series is absolutely still in play and they want to make the officiating a factor to help them going into Game 3 in Indiana.

The Knicks are a physical team, which Carlisle pointed out. He also said Indiana's physicality is getting punished with whistles far more often than New York's in this series.

Still, the Knicks' 22-17 free-throw advantage in Game 2 wasn't exactly a particularly significant one. Plus, Indiana had a double-digit lead and failed to capitalize even though the home team was without OG Anunoby for the fourth quarter after he was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Then there was Jalen Brunson, who spent much of the first half in the locker room with a sore right foot. Even with those injuries, the Pacers lost by nine points with a final deficit that suggests the outcome didn't come down to one or two calls.

Yet this may be lingering frustration from Game 1, which was determined in part by poor officiating.

The NBA's last-two-minute report from that contest revealed the officials mistakenly whistled Aaron Nesmith for a kicked ball violation in the final minute with the game tied. Indiana appeared to have forced a turnover and potential opportunity to take the lead, but the Knicks got to keep possession.

And Donte DiVincenzo drilled a three-pointer that put his team ahead for good on that possession.

Referee Zach Zarba admitted it was a mistake, but kicked ball violations are not reviewable.

Officiating was more of a storyline after Game 1 than Game 2, but Carlisle still wasn't happy after the latest outcome.