Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs matchup on Tuesday between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers wasn’t overly competitive for much of the game. The Cavaliers pulled away to even up the series at 1-1, but that didn’t stop Cavaliers star center Jarrett Allen from giving his all until the very end, which resulted in a very controversial foul on Knicks star Julius Randle.
Cleveland had the win pretty much secured with 2:22 remaining in the fourth quarter up by 23 points. However, Allen continued to play hard — potentially too hard — by attempting to block an open dunk attempt from Randle.
Randle received a pass after a Knicks steal. As he went up for the dunk, he was brutally undercut by Allen, causing him to land dangerously on his back.
Julius Randle dunks it on Jarrett Allen and is in pain 😳 pic.twitter.com/TgQkmz3AuT
— Backcourt Alerts (@BackcourtAlerts) April 19, 2023
Allen was issued a Flagrant 1 foul on the play, but that was more or less an afterthought considering Randle stayed down for quite some time holding his back after the dangerous foul.
Refs rule that Jarrett Allen committed a Flagrant 1 when he contested a Julius Randle dunk on a fast break, which caused Randle to land hard on his back. Randle's in discomfort, upset with Allen and has words for JB Bickerstaff. His dunk & FT cut Cavs lead to 20 w/2 min to play.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 19, 2023
Randle ultimately ended up staying in the game to take the free throw following the made dunk. He was then subbed out after the free throw and sent straight to the locker room.
Jarrett Allen going up for the block collides with Julius Randle — who hit the floor hard — he’s headed to the locker room now… v debatable whether he should have been in the game with the Cavs lead/time left
— Jennifer X. Williams (@JenXperience) April 19, 2023
As expected, the Knicks would go on to lose the game 107-90 to Cleveland. However, that was far from the big takeaway from this moment.
Many around the NBA world were furious about multiple things that led to this incident happening. Firstly, many were upset at Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau for even having Randle in the game given the score.
You'd think after watching Derrick Rose blow out his knee in garbage time, Tom Thibodeau would have eventually learned his lesson about pulling his starters. Alas.
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) April 19, 2023
Learn your lesson TOM THIBODEAU should’ve learned his lesson… get your starters off the hardwood 🤦🏼♂️ @TheFieldAU #NBA
— Josh Jenkins (@JoshJenkins24) April 19, 2023
Jarrett Allen definitely did not have to do that but Julius Randle shouldn’t have been in the game at that point anyway.
— Colb (@___Colb___) April 19, 2023
D Rose seeing Thibs leave Julius Randle in the game pic.twitter.com/bVEn1uBQiU
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 19, 2023
There was absolutely no reason for Julius Randle to be on the floor right now, but there's a massive difference between a 21-point deficit late and a 12-point margin late — which was the Bulls' lead when Derrick Rose tore his ACL and which Reggie Miller is going hard against.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) April 19, 2023
Others were upset with Jarrett Allen for this block attempt given the situation with the game well in hand for the Cavaliers.
Jarrett Allen’s foul on Randle was dirtier than Draymond’s last night.
Debate your fridge.
— Brett Alper (@TheRealAlper) April 19, 2023
That Jarrett Allen chase down block attempt was ok by legal standards but morally pure trash
— O$AP Rocky (@TheAlanShane) April 19, 2023
Nah Jarrett Allen saying that’s a hustle play up 30 late in the fourth quarter is CRAZY
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) April 19, 2023
The foul itself can certainly be up for debate on whether or not it was a dirty play for Allen. Regardless, hopefully Julius Randle is all set to go for Game 3 of the series on Friday.
[Ian Begley on Twitter] Photo Credit: TNT
