The New York Knicks narrowly defeated the Dallas Mavericks 113-111 in a nail-biter that concluded with a disputed offensive foul call in the final seconds. With just over three seconds remaining, Mavericks point guard Brandon Williams received the ball at halfcourt, drove toward the basket, and appeared to score a game-tying basket while drawing a foul. The NBA official ruled that Williams had hooked his arm around Knicks guard Landry Shamet, resulting in a foul call that sparked immediate debate on social media and among fans.
Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who missed the prior two games due to an ankle sprain, returned to the floor and contributed 28 points against his former team. Although Brunson acknowledged the game’s chaotic nature, he emphasized the team’s determination to find a way to win despite the adversity. Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns had a standout performance with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, while Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart each added 16 points. Dallas, meanwhile, fell to 4-12 on the season after the loss.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, when asked about the final play, commended the execution by his team but noted the difficulty of the call, stating it was a tough decision that the officials made. The controversy over the foul ruling highlighted the high stakes of the final moments of the game, with fans and analysts continuing to question the accuracy of the call, despite the Knicks’ eventual victory.