On the TNT broadcast, analyst Stan Van Gundy was convinced the contact after Anunoby lost the ball was severe enough that it deserved to be called a foul — and noted that the length of the replay was proof there was no clear evidence to overturn it…..Read more:

In a pivotal moment during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, a controversial officiating decision significantly influenced the game’s outcome. With the Knicks leading by five points and just 30 seconds remaining, OG Anunoby of the Knicks was initially fouled by Indiana’s Pascal Siakam. However, after a challenge by the Pacers, the officials overturned the call, ruling that the contact was legal and awarding possession to Indiana. 

TNT analyst Stan Van Gundy expressed strong disagreement with the reversal during the broadcast. He argued that the contact following Anunoby’s loss of the ball was substantial enough to warrant a foul. Van Gundy also pointed out that the extended duration of the replay review indicated a lack of clear evidence to justify overturning the original call. 

The overturned call proved to be a turning point. On the ensuing possession, Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith hit a critical three-pointer, narrowing the deficit to two points. Shortly after, Tyrese Haliburton sank a game-tying buzzer-beater, sending the game into overtime. In the extra period, the Pacers outlasted the Knicks, securing a 138-135 victory. 

This loss was particularly disheartening for the Knicks, marking their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, a series they also lost to the Pacers. The controversial officiating decision and its impact on the game’s outcome have sparked discussions about the consistency and transparency of replay reviews in critical moments.