Rick Carlisle's Pointed Comments On NBA Playoff Officiating Earns Pacers Coach $35,000 Fine
The Indiana Pacers, in a nail-biting turn of events, find themselves in a 0-2 playoff series hole against the New York Knicks.
Adding salt to the wound is Pacers coach Rick Carlisle's losing battle against NBA refs.
After Wednesday's Game 2, the coach suggested that New York's bigger market continues to garner favor with the league regarding officiating.
"Small-market teams deserve an equal shot. They deserve a fair shot no matter where they're playing," Carlisle said in the post-game. He added that Indy was penalized for muscling up against the Knicks while NY got away with the added contact.
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Carlisle was also ejected from Wednesday night's Game 2 loss after passionately arguing with officials over missed calls.
In a rocky week for the NBA (and still feeling the sting of Tim Donaghy), league execs happily brought the hammer down on the Pacers coach for his gripes with officiating.
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 30: Head Coach of Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers talks to the media after the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2024 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images).
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 08: Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle argues a call with referee Josh Tiven #58 during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 08, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Faces NBA Punishment
NBA Executive Vice President Joe Dumars announced on Friday that Carlisle faces a $35K fine over his Game 2 post-game comments about NBA Playoff officiating.
(And still no suspension for Jamal Murray.)
"Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has been fined $35,000 for public criticism of the officiating and questioning the integrity of the league and its officials.
"Carlisle's actions took place after the Pacers' 130-121 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their conference semifinals playoff series on May 8 at Madison Square Garden."
OutKick's Mark Harris previously reported that Carlisle compiled 78 instances of incorrect or non-calls against NBA officials, sparking the beef with the NBA.
Many NBA fans, including Pacers fans, were up in arms over a late charge called on Pacers big Myles Turner, which sealed a win for the Knicks on Monday. The call sparked a heated debate over the legitimacy of the Knicks' win.
Carlisle now takes issue with both games' officiating in the series, which only adds intrigue to what has been a tight series thus far.
While the consensus predicted an easy Knicks semifinals win before the series, Rick Carlisle's speedy Indiana offense has challenged New York's marquee Villanova 3 in Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart.
Speaking on Wednesday's loss to the Knicks, 130-121, Rick Carlisle accused Hart of taking a cheap jab at Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, which the Knicks guard denied on Friday. Carlisle called Hart out for making contact with Haliburton's back, targeting a nagging injury for the Pacers All-Star.
The Knicks Fire Back At Carlisle
Hart also hit back on Carlisle's claims that small-market NBA teams are conveniently receiving calls against New York.
"F**k no, that's so stupid bro," Hart responded. "I mean like, and I mean, "the big market always wins" because we haven't won a chip in 51 years. …
"But, I think that's just idiotic. At the end of the day, it's who's playing the best. I never seen a ref, you know, shoot a free throw and make it three or miss a rotation. You know what I mean?"
After two games at MSG, the series flips to Indiana for Game 3 and 4.
Indy and New York resume their heated series on Friday for Game 3.
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