While the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New York Knicks during their game on Wednesday, the NBA referees made life a little harder for them.
Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander combined for 54 points in the Thunder's 103-100 win at Madison Square Garden. They were able to lead by as many as 15 points in the contest, but the Knicks proved tough to handle.
No Knicks player scored more than 20 points, but six players scored in double digits. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 17 points, along with 17 rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 16.
As mentioned, while it was not an easy win for Oklahoma City, the referees' officiating errors also played a part in the Thunder's narrow win.
© NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In its Last 2 Minute Report, the NBA revealed one incorrect call and one incorrect non-call, both of which favored the Knicks.
With 1:32 remaining on the clock and Oklahoma City leading 100-94, Thunder guard Cason Wallace was called for a foul on Josh Hart while attempting to steal the ball. It led to two free throws, which the Knicks veteran made.
Apparently, however, there shouldn't have been a foul called on Wallace since he hit the ball and not Hart.
"Wallace (OKC) makes contact with the ball as he defends Hart's (NYK) shot near the rim," the NBA explained.
Had it been called correctly, the Knicks wouldn't have gotten the free throws and the Thunder would have kept their six-point lead.
Meanwhile, the incorrect non-call occurred with 20 seconds left. When Holmgren tried to attack the basket after receiving a pass from Gilgeous-Alexander, Knicks guard Landry Shamet defended him and prevented the big man from getting space.
Holmgren ended up attempting a turnaround jumper that missed, allowing the Knicks to rebound the ball and gain possession.
Nonetheless, the NBA noted that Shamet should have been called for a foul because of the way he guarded Holmgren.
"Shamet (NYK) extends his forearm into Holmgren's (OKC) path and initiates contact that affects his SQBR. This contact occurs prior to, and causes, any ensuing contact from Holmgren to Shamet's upper body," the NBA wrote.
Because the Knicks were in the penalty situation at that point, Holmgren would have gotten a couple of free throws if the foul had been called.
Overall, the Thunder basically lost at most four points due to the referees' errors. The good news is that they got the win, although it would have been frustrating if they hadn't, considering the situation.
Oklahoma City improved to 49-15 on the season with the win, staying on top of the Western Conference. The Knicks, meanwhile, dropped to 40-23 for third in the East.
