The New York Knicks secured an exciting victory against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. However, the focus shifted to the game’s officiating in the aftermath.
With just 12 seconds remaining in the Eastern Conference showdown, Myles Turner was penalized for an illegal screen. The credit for drawing the call goes to Donte DiVincenzo, who executed a well-timed flop. DiVincenzo’s ability to disrupt opponents aligns perfectly with Tom Thibodeau’s coaching style, as evidenced by Joel Embiid’s previous encounters with him.
If we're gonna be so technically correct, that should have been a flopping technical on DiVincenzo even with the illegal screen for the way he waved both his arms.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) May 7, 2024
Embiid, who faced the Knicks in a challenging series during the NBA Playoffs’ opening round, had a succinct reaction to DiVincenzo’s pivotal flop, acknowledging its impact on the game’s outcome.
While the 76ers provided stiff competition for the Knicks in their playoff series, ultimately losing in six games, DiVincenzo continued to shine. His clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter was instrumental in securing New York’s lead.
