New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown didn't hold back when discussing the officiating following his team's Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
Speaking to reporters after the Knicks fell 115-111 at Madison Square Garden, Brown pointed to what he viewed as a significant imbalance in free-throw opportunities during the second half.
"I never thought I'd be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free-throw attempts in the second half to another team's eight," Brown said.
The veteran coach made it clear that he wasn't trying to take credit away from San Antonio, repeatedly praising the Spurs for their performance and acknowledging they earned the victory.
"Coach Mitch Johnson and the Spurs won the game tonight," Brown said. "They came and took the game."
Still, Brown expressed frustration with what he felt was inconsistent officiating throughout the final two quarters.
The Knicks coach noted that New York struggled in several areas compared to its first two wins in San Antonio, but argued that the free-throw disparity made an already difficult challenge even tougher.
Brown specifically referenced a play involving Karl-Anthony Towns, claiming the All-Star forward was hit across the arm after securing a loose-ball rebound and attempting a shot, only for no foul to be called.
"There were opportunities for fouls to be called," Brown said. "At least try to even the free throws out."
According to Brown, the issue wasn't necessarily the total number of calls against New York but the lack of similar whistles going the other direction.
"Maybe we were fouling," he said. "But they fouled too."
The Knicks attempted just eight free throws during the second half, while San Antonio went to the line 24 times over the same stretch.
"I don't complain much," Brown said. "I never thought I'd see that in an NBA Finals game. And I saw it tonight."
Brown added the Knicks must improve in several areas heading into Game 4, but suggested that a repeat of the free-throw discrepancy could significantly affect the outcome of the series. Not everyone inside the Knicks locker room shared the same view, though, as Karl-Anthony Towns put the loss on New York’s own execution.
"That didn't cost us the game. Turned the ball over. Didn't execute. Didn't do what got us 13 straight wins in a row. That's how you lose a game," Towns said. The Spurs' win snapped that 13-game postseason winning streak and handed the Knicks their first loss in 46 days.
Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks, while Stephon Castle added 23 points. De'Aaron Fox also delivered several key baskets down the stretch to help the Spurs secure the win.
The victory trimmed New York's series lead to 2-1 after the Knicks opened the Finals with back-to-back road wins in San Antonio.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
