The New York Knicks' 13-game playoff winning streak ended Monday night at Madison Square Garden, with the San Antonio Spurs taking Game 3 of the NBA Finals, 115-111.
Head coach Mike Brown opened his postgame press conference with a pointed complaint about the officiating in the second half. He noted the Spurs shot 24 free throws in the second half compared to the Knicks' eight, calling it a staggering discrepancy for an NBA Finals game.
"I never thought I would be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free throw attempts in the second half to another team's eight," Brown said, while acknowledging the Spurs earned the victory.
Brown specifically cited a no-call on a Karl-Anthony Towns drive where he was hit in the arm. However, players like Towns and Jalen Brunson downplayed the officiating, pointing instead to their own turnovers and defensive lapses. Brunson admitted the Knicks "were fouling a lot."
The Knicks blew a seven-point halftime lead, and the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama led all scorers with 32 points. Game 4 is Wednesday night in New York.