The Knicks fought to the buzz against the juggernaut Nets. And to the buzzer.
All-Star Julius Randle had to be repeatedly barred from going to referee Scott Foster after the Knicks’ 117-112 defeat to the Nets on Monday at Barclays Center.
Randle, who was asked for a travel offense in the final seconds, calmed down 40 minutes after the game.
“It was a conversation. The best thing is that I do not comment on the situation, ‘Randle said. “There was a lot of frustration behind it. I let it be in the past and continue in the next game. ”
Asked about his fiery reaction to the buzz, Randle said: ‘I was frustrated. We fought so hard to come back and win the game. I was just frustrated. ”
It was a game that left the Knicks with 18 points in the first half, and they took it to a final possession after Tom Thibodeau won a challenge on a controversial steal from Alec Burks.
But the Knicks coach had no challenges for the last play in which Randle was asked to travel – a rare up-and-down offense from the old school.
Knicks senior vice president William Wesley had to wrestle Randle off the track. His star was so miff, but probably not in time to prevent the NBA from issuing a penalty for the show.
Randle ran into Jeff Green of Nets as he was on his way to the ref. Knicks president Leon Rose was also making peace.
After Thibodeau overcame the challenge by seven seconds, the Knicks controlled the point after a bouncy ball and quickly called the timeout.
Randle got the ball outside the three-point line on the right wing. He shot for the possible equalizer and Kyrie Irving got a hand on the ball. Randle came down without shooting and immediately dropped the ball to dribble.
But it was too late. Foster mentioned the trip when it looked like Randle was landing with possession. He finished with 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
Foster told a pool reporter he kept to his call that Irving did touch the ball but did not drive it away, and Randle came down with his possession on his feet. That’s the rule.
“It’s an emotional game, he calmed down immediately,” Thibodeau said. “It was a tough match for both teams. Sometimes it goes with whistles, sometimes not. I thought Julius was playing a great game. He played the 5, was switching. It did not go our way in the end. ‘
Irving said he tried to offend Randle before going up.
“I would get dirty early, but I saw him stand in line for a jump shot,” Irving said. “I felt I could handle it well. Scott called travel. I thought Julius made a good play after putting it down. I would cheer him up afterwards just to get him at the release line. That’s how it went. ”
Maybe Randle was taught the rule after the game because he looks remorseful.
“I just think it’s best to move on and not comment on what I think and what the official thinks,” Randle said.
In the preceding game, the referees reversed an appeal on a steal from Burks, who was originally a foul on RJ Barrett, after doubling the Nets’ Joe Harris in the backfield, with three behind.
Thibodeau would have challenged the Randle play, he said, if he had a challenge left.
“That’s what they said, they saw it, I did not see it that way,” said Thibodeau, whose club fell to 20-20 on Tuesday and faced the Sixers. “Just like the others playing in the corner, I did not see it that way either.”
The Nets built up an 18-point lead in the first half, but the Knicks did not deteriorate or go away and were within five points for most of the last four minutes.
And then Randle was ready for more.
– Additional reporting by Brian Lewis