Rockets-Knicks drama: 3 times a team successfully protested a call

Note: This article was originally posted on December 4th, 2019, but was lost due to a recent technical glitch. With the New York Knicks protesting the foul call that sent Aaron Holiday to the free throw line for the game-winning free throws, I decided to bring it back, with updated notes.

During the Houston Rockets‘ Monday night victory over the New York Knicks, the Rockets won the game in the waning milliseconds, as Rockets reserve guard Aaron Holiday capitalized on a foul call against Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson. The play had the masses in disbelief, as Emmy award-winning actor Ben Stiller couldn’t contain himself on social media after the game.

By Tuesday, the Knicks let it be down that they intended to protest the call, in hopes of having a do-over. If successful, the two teams would play a five-minute overtime period.

The Rockets have been in the Knicks’ shoes, as they too decided to protest a blown dunk by James Harden during the Rockets’ December 4th match against the San Antonio Spurs. This was an obvious and blatant gaffe with 7:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Anyone watching knew that the ball went through the net.

Nonetheless, the basket did not count.

The Knicks could have a tough time winning a protest, based on past history.

And after the game concluded, the referees acknowledged that the Rockets should have been credited with the points, much like what happened in this case. But the Rockets lost the protest, illustrating just how difficult it is to actually win one.

In fact, since 1952, 36 teams have filed protests and only three have actually won.  

With the Knicks up in arms about Monday night’s outcome, it’s worth examining the last three times an NBA team successfully protested a game and was granted an opportunity to re-play the game afterward.

Let’s get started!