Tom Thibodeau on Game 3: ‘I thought those calls could’ve gone our way’

Shortly after his Indiana Pacers dropped Game 2 to fall 0-2 to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinal, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle expressed his frustration with how the series had been officiated. After Friday, it was Tom Thibodeau’s turn.

Thibodeau’s comments after Game 3 were more diplomatic than Carlisle’s after Game 2, comments that earned the Pacers coach a $35,000 fine. Nevertheless, the New York coach made it clear that, at least from his position on the bench, there were some misses.

“From my vantage point, I thought those calls could’ve gone our way, but I’m not gonna comment until I look at the film,” Carlisle said. “We’ve just got to find a way to win. That’s the bottom line.”

“From my vantage point, I thought those calls could’ve gone our way, but I’m not gonna comment until I look at the film… We’ve just got to find a way to win. That’s the bottom line.” – Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau on the Game 3 officiating 🏀 🦓 pic.twitter.com/gu6LIMzePo

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 11, 2024

Officiating is always under close watch, particularly in the postseason. When the games are close, the microscope is going to be even stronger. That has been the case in this series, as the outcome of all three games has been very much in doubt heading into the final minutes of all three games. If the remainder of the series has a similar feel, more commentary on the officiating will be inevitable.

[Photo Credit: SNY]