THE NBA has denied the New York Knicks protest following a controversial last-second loss to the Houston Rockets.

New York went down 105-103 after a foul was incorrectly called on guard Jalen Brunson with 0.3 seconds remaining of the game on February 12.

The NBA has delivered its verdict after the New York Knicks protested their loss against the Houston Rockets
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The NBA has delivered its verdict after the New York Knicks protested their loss against the Houston RocketsCredit: Getty

Jalen Brunson was called for a foul with a second left on the clock - a call that officials admitted was wrong after the game
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Jalen Brunson was called for a foul with a second left on the clock – a call that officials admitted was wrong after the gameCredit: X/KnicksMuse

Only six protests have been upheld in NBA history
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Only six protests have been upheld in NBA historyCredit: Getty

The Knicks were pushing for a winning basket with the scores locked at 103-103 when Brunson was whistled for a contact foul.

It sent Aaron Holiday to the free throw line, who sank both his shots to give the Rockets the win.

Following the game, official Ed Malloy told The Athletic the foul call was a mistake, as fuming fans raged the game was “rigged.”

“After seeing it during postgame review, the offensive player was able to return to a normal playing position on the floor,” Malloy told pool reporters.

“The contact which occurred after the release of the ball therefore is incidental and marginal to the shot attempt and should not have been called.”

The Knicks filed a complaint to the NBA following the game, with success potentially opening up the prospect of the contest being replayed.

But on Wednesday, the league gave their response and denied the Knicks’ claim.

“Under the standard for NBA game protests, New York was required to demonstrate that there was a misapplication of the official playing rules, as opposed to an error in judgment by the game officials,” the league stated in a press release.