'Would be legal': Referee acknowledges incorrect kicked ball call vs. Pacers

A game official acknowledged an incorrect call in the final minute of the Indiana Pacers' 121-117 loss in Game 1 of their NBA playoff series against the New York Knicks.

Zach Zarba, responding to a pool reporter, said the refs should not have called a kicked ball against Indiana's Aaron Nesmith with 52 seconds left. Replays showed Nesmith hitting the ball with his hand, which is, of course, legal. Without the call, Andrew Nembhard would have stolen the ball.

New York's Donte DiVincenzo hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, giving New York the lead for good with 40 seconds to go at 118-115.

'You never see that call': Pacers lose to Knicks after two questionable calls by refs

Here's the exchange:

QUESTION: Upon review, was the kicked ball call against Aaron Nesmith deemed to be correct?

ZARBA: On the floor we felt that would be a kicked ball violation. Post game review did show that it hit the defender’s hand, which would be legal.

QUESTION: Could the Pacers have been allowed to challenge the kick ball call?

ZARBA: A kicked ball violation is not reviewable and not subject to the coach’s challenge. The three things that teams can challenge are fouls, goaltends and out of bounds.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Knicks: Referee acknowledges incorrect kicked ball call