Report: Knicks Filing Protest of Loss vs. Rockets over Incorrect Brunson-Holiday Foul

The New York Knicks are still unhappy with Monday's 105-103 loss to the Houston Rockets, and they are reportedly doing what they can in the aftermath.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, New York filed a protest with the NBA because of the foul called on Jalen Brunson in the final seconds. The foul sent Aaron Holiday to the line, and he converted two of three free throws to win the game for Houston.

Wojnarowski noted the NBA's Last Two Minute Report and crew chief Ed Malloy said it was an incorrect call.

Even though the league and Malloy acknowledged the officials made a mistake, history suggests the Knicks will have to accept the loss.

ESPN's Bobby Marks pointed out the last successful protest was in December 2007 when the Miami Heat filed a complaint because Shaquille O'Neal was deemed to have fouled out of the game. However, he had just five fouls instead of six.

The Heat and Atlanta Hawks replayed the final 51.9 seconds of overtime from when the big man fouled out, and Atlanta still ended up winning.

That replay occurred later in the season when the two teams faced each other again, but Wojnarowski noted the Knicks and Rockets don't play each other again this season. New York still hopes it wins the protest and the league figures out a way to play the overtime period that would have happened without the incorrect foul call.

If that happens, it will be only the seventh time in NBA history a protest is successful.

The Knicks are surely looking for a break as well since Monday's loss was their third in a row. They are still 33-21 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but they are struggling some going into the All-Star break.

Wednesday's contest against the Orlando Magic is their final one until the break, and they will return to the court on Feb. 22 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Perhaps the league will take advantage of that time off and play the overtime period then if the challenge is successful, although such a development would be surprising.