Knicks incredulous after clock mix-up in final second: ‘What did you expect?’

DETROIT — With 0.5 seconds left and the Knicks leading by two, Jalen Brunson intentionally missed his second free throw.

Due to a mistake by the timekeeper, it nearly let the Pistons get off a potential game-winning shot.

The clock started as soon as the ball hit the rim, instead of when a player touched it. By rule, an inadvertent whistle gives possession to the team who grabbed the rebound. Detroit wound up getting a free timeout out of the error.

However, the Pistons threw the ball away, and the Knicks survived with a 118-116 Game 3 victory to take a 2-1 lead in the opening-round series.

“We’re in Detroit, bro. What did you expect?” Josh Hart said. “They had the home-court advantage. That’s example A of home-court advantage.

“He missed it on purpose. I guess that’s the reason why you go ahead and make it, because they’re going to give them a shot.”

Asked if he thought the scorer’s table did it on purpose, Hart joked: “We’re in Detroit, bro. What do you think?”

Tom Thibodeau argues a call with referee referee Sean Wright during the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 118-116 win over the Pistons on April 24, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Coach Tom Thibodeau said he didn’t receive an explanation from the officials.

“It doesn’t seem right to me,” he said. “It’s unfortunate. That should never happen ever in a playoff game. Never happen.”

Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs

• Knicks escape for thrilling Game 3 win over Pistons to retake series lead
• Bondy: Jalen Brunson became the perfect villain the Knicks needed in Game 3
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The Knicks will be going overseas next preseason.

They will play preseason games in Abu Dhabi against the 76ers on Oct. 2 and 4, the league announced on Thursday.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that the NBA has played preseason games in Abu Dhabi.

It signed a deal with tourism officials in Abu Dhabi in 2021.

Brunson was named the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year on Wednesday night, beating out Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves and Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets.

Brunson averaged an NBA-high 5.6 points in clutch situations, defined as possessions in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points.

He also led the league in field goals made (52) and ranked second in total points (156) and third in total assists (28).

“It means a lot,” Brunson said on Thursday. “It’s a credit to us winning close games and my teammates and coaches having my back.”