Jalen Brunson, seen here in Game 1 of the Knicks-Pistons series, picked up an early flagrant foul in Game 3. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drew a flagrant foul and the wrath of Detroit Pistons fans for an eye poke Thursday night that did not resemble a basketball play.
The incident took place in the first quarter of Game 3 of the first-round playoff series, which shifted to Detroit after the teams split Games 1 and 2 in New York.
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With 6:20 remaining in the quarter and the Knicks holding a 20-11 lead, Tim Hardaway Jr. pulled up for a 3-pointer from the left wing. Brunson closed in on defense and fouled Hardaway during his shooting motion.
Hardaway fell to the court and clutched his face in pain. Officials called a personal foul on the floor and reviewed it for a potential flagrant foul.
It was ruled a flagrant foul. Brunson jammed the fingers of his right hand toward Hardaway’s face and poked him in the left eye during Hardaway’s shot.
Detroit fans serenaded Brunson with a chant of “F*** you, Brunson!” as officials watched replay video at mid-court. Hardaway, meanwhile, recovered from the eye poke while sitting on the Pistons bench.
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Officials upgraded the foul to a flagrant 1 on Brunson for “unnecessary contact above the shoulder level to the shooter with a followthrough to the eye of the shooter.” Referee Zach Zarba described Brunson’s motion as “not making a natural play on the basketball.”
Hardaway was awarded three free throws. He hit them all, and the Pistons retained possession. Hardaway then hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession for a quick, personal 6-0 run to cut New York’s lead to 20-17.
Playoff series are heating up and spilling over with bad blood across the league. Knicks-Pistons is no exception.
