INDIANAPOLIS — Let the officiating gamesmanship begin.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s Game 4, Tom Thibodeau was critical of the calls that have been landing Jalen Brunson in foul trouble.
“Some of the plays, they’re 50/50. They can go either way. I’m looking, he’s taking charges and he’s getting called for blocks,” the Knicks coach said. “I don’t care what the officiating is saying, I’ve studied this league a long time, I know what a charge looks like.”
Jalen Brunson (11) of the New York Knicks reacts at referee Sean Wright (4) after a call during the second quarter in Game 3. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Brunson found himself in deep foul trouble in the Knicks’ Game 3 victory, picking up four fouls in the first half.
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He also had five fouls in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals and fouled out in Game 5 against the Celtics in the previous round.
Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images
Thibodeau was upset about a blocking call on Brunson in Game 3 that he challenged.
The call wasn’t changed.
“You challenge it and they still say … I’ll leave it at that,” he said.