Tom Thibodeau was asked about the NBA’s Two Minute Report from game two, which revealed that the Knicks should have been called for two fouls on Tyrese Maxey.
Thibodeau responded by pointing to the physicality that Jalen Brunson faced for all of game two as he was struggling through a rough shooting night in an eventual thrilling victory for New York.
“I'm more concerned with the 46-minute report. I mean that,” Thibodeau said. “I knew they couldn't call a foul there. I’m watching the way Jalen’s being guarded.”
Thibodeau has voiced his frustration with the officiating of Brunson and the contact he faces for much of the season, and made it clear that he was expecting the refs to allow some contact on the inbounds play that led to a steal and the game-winning 3-pointer from Donte DiVincenzo. The Sixers were not happy, as they filed a grievance with the NBA for the officiating in games one and two, which Thibodeau is also not concerned with.
“I'm locked into Game three. That’s where we are,” Thibodeau said. “We don't get sidetracked with that stuff. Like I said, I watched the whole game, not two minutes worth.”
That mindset has trickled down to the players, as Josh Hart has moved on from the thrilling game two victory, and all of the controversy that followed.
“I don't think there's anyone on the court - and you can ask the refs - that harasses the refs more than I do,” Hart said. “Sometimes that’s how it goes. But we've been on both sides of it. When you’re in that position, there’s not a computer telling the refs that it’s a foul. It’s up to the refs’ discretion. Fortunately for us, they didn't call the foul, but we’re not too worried about it. Nothing is going to change.”