Why didn't Knicks foul Sixers at end of Game 5? Tom Thibodeau suggests they should have

Scott Davis

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Why didn't Knicks foul Sixers at end of Game 5? Tom Thibodeau suggests they should have image

After the Philadelphia 76ers saved their season and stole Game 5 from the New York Knicks on Tuesday, a major question lingered for the Knicks: why didn't they foul at the end of the game?

After Josh Hart made a free throw with 15.8 seconds remaining and the Sixers trailing by three, the Sixers inbounded the ball, staring at elimination from the playoffs.

Tyrese Maxey went the length of the floor and pulled up from the Knicks logo in Madison Square Garden and nailed it, tying the game and forcing overtime after the Knicks failed to score on the other end. The Sixers went on to win, 112-106 in overtime.

So, why didn't the Knicks foul Maxey with that time remaining?

Well, perhaps they should have.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau wasn't especially candid about the situation in his postgame press conference, but he did allow that the Knicks could have fouled.

"We could have, and we'll leave it at that," Thibodeau said.

Thibodeau said the Knicks communication needed to be better.

With so much time remaining, fouling in that situation isn't a no-brainer strategy. For instance, if the Knicks fouled and the Sixers made both free throws, the Knicks would likely have to hit their own free throws, then foul the Sixers again. If the Knicks missed any of their free throws, it would leave the door open for the Sixers to win the game.

The Sixers could also miss a free throw after being intentionally fouled, leaving open the possibility of an offensive rebound that could win Philadelphia the game.

So, to some, the decision to foul is not so cut-and-dry.

Thibodeau told reporters as much, saying that there are multiple situations that could unfold in that moment, and that added to the confusion in those final seconds.

Nonetheless, the Knicks allowed the simplest situation to unfold: they didn't foul and watched as Maxey tied the game, potentially stealing a series back.

After the game, OG Anunoby admitted the team had discussed fouling.

"Yeah we talked about it but it happened so fast," Anunoby said.

Now the Knicks must return to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Thursday, facing a team that has life once again.

The Knicks didn't execute on plenty of fronts down the stretch, but letting Maxey walk into an open (albeit deep) three will likely weigh on their minds.

Scott Davis

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Scott Davis covers the Knicks and Ravens on The Sporting News. He previously spent much of the last decade as a sports reporter for Business Insider, covering all sports, with a specific focus on the NBA and NFL. Follow him on Twitter/X @WScottDavis