The New York Knicks lost a close one to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, but head coach Tom Thibodeau is not blaming his team for falling short. Instead, he made it clear the officiating made the biggest difference in the game.

Thibodeau is “pissed” after the contest, emphasizing to reporters that it was the free throw discrepancy in the game that doomed them.

“I want to watch the film but something’s not right. Julius was driving the ball pretty darn hard and I’m pissed…Thank you,” the Knicks coach said, referencing Randle two free throw attempts in the game despite consistently attacking the rim (per Marc Berman of the New York Post).

Sure enough, Tom Thibodeau has a reason to get mad. After all, the Nets had 25 free throw attempts and made 22 of those. As for the Knicks, they had 12 and made 11.

Article Continues Below
More New York Knicks News
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau (R) and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) look on during a stoppage in play against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Capital One Arena.
Knicks rumors: 2 key people in Tom Thibodeau’s corner amid calls for firingTroy Finnegan ·
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Josh Hart (3) react in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game five of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns gets emotional gushing over Jalen Brunson after ECF lossMalik Brown ·
Magic Johnson attends a WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx at Crypto.com Arena.
Magic Johnson reveals why Knicks lost ECF to PacersBenjamin Adducchio ·
image thumbnail
Kevin O’Connor drops wild Karl-Anthony Towns trade take after Knicks ECF lossOwen Crisafulli ·
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau looks on prior to game six of the eastern conference finals against the Indiana Pacers for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau hints at ‘big offseason’ after ECF loss to PacersJosue Pavon ·
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks on during warmups prior to game six of the eastern conference finals against the Indiana Pacers for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Knicks rumors: Teammates frustrated by Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive executionMatty Breisch ·

The game ended 112-110 in the Nets' favor, and to be fair to the Knicks, it could have gone their way if the free throw disparity was not that large.

Making this even more frustrating for the Knicks, Julius Randle revealed in his postgame presser that the referees told him he's not getting calls because he is stronger than his defenders and the contact is not affecting him. Yikes!

“That's not how you're supposed to referee a game,” Randle added, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Given their reactions and blatant criticism to officiating, Thibodeau could expect to be fined by the NBA. However, they surely have sent their message that they want changes when it comes to refereeing.