Kofi Inkoom
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle fined $35K for “public criticism of the officiating and questioning the integrity of the league and its officials”, the league announced on Friday.
Carlisle got ejected towards the end of the fourth quarter in the team’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks on Wednesday.
Following his ejection, he openly criticized the officiating in both games of the series, asserting that “small market teams” don’t receive the same treatment from referees as big market clubs.
“I’m always talking to our guys about not making it about the officials,” Carlisle said. “But we deserve a fair shot. There’s not a consistent balance, and that’s disappointing. Give New York credit for the physicality that they’re playing with. But their physicality is rewarded and ours is penalized. Time after time. I’m just really disappointed.”
On Thursday, the Pacers sent 78 plays to the league from the first two games that they believed were incorrectly called.
During a press conference today ahead of Game 3 in Indiana, Knicks shooting guard Josh Hart labeled Rick Carlisle’s comments about officiating as “disrespectful.”
“It’s not about who complains the most, small market, big market, OK, whatever. It’s about going out there and playing the game and competing at a high level.” Josh said.