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The New York Knicks fought tooth and nail with the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, but ultimately fell short in a 103-100 loss.
Both Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby had clean looks to tie the game in the final seconds, but couldn't get either three-point shot to fall.
It was a scrappy, physical game, with both teams committing fouls and bodies flying all over the place. But the Knicks made it clear after the game that they felt the calls were going in one direction all night.
Mike Brown slyly roasts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Knicks head coach Mike Brown was vocal throughout the game. He picked up his first technical foul of the season, arguing a call. But Brown's defiance lasted until his postgame press conference, where he snuck in a backhanded compliment about Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
"SGA is a tough cover, and he does a great job of convincing the referees, probably better than anybody in the league, that he's getting hit. And them shooting 84% from the free throw line compared to our 73% was a factor throughout the course of the game," Brown told reporters, before turning the conversation back to his own team.
"But our guys, if you're open, keep letting that thing fly, because I believe in our shooters, and they're eventually going to go in. But a good competitive game in a lot of areas for us and for them. Just didn't get the win tonight."
Despite Brown's complaints, Oklahoma City only shot three more free throws on the night compared to New York, and had two fewer personal fouls. On the surface, it really wasn't that egregious from an officiating standpoint.
Regardless, it's still a tough loss for the Knicks, who came into the game boasting a three-game winning streak.
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