NBA says it’s official: Randle traveled in final

PHILADELPHIA — Julius Randle indeed traveled.

A day after the Knicks All-Star stormed at official Scott Foster over his call, the league ruled Tuesday that the ref correctly blew his whistle.

“Irving makes contact with the ball, but does not dislodge it and does not cause Randle to return to the floor with possession,” the league wrote in its two-minute report. “Therefore Randle must pass or shoot before returning to the floor. Since he does return to the floor with the ball still in his possession, this is a traveling violation.”

The call sealed the Knicks’ 117-112 defeat Monday in Brooklyn and became more controversial following Randle’s reaction. The Knicks All-Star had to be restrained by teammates from going at the referee. He was ultimately led off the court by Knicks executive William Wesley and flipped a chair before entering the tunnel.

“I was frustrated obviously.

We fought so hard to try to come back and win the game,” Randle said after calming down. “So I was just frustrated. And that was pretty much it.”

Knicks coach Thibodeau also publicly disagreed with the call.

“That’s what (the referees) said they saw,” the Knicks coach said. “I didn’t see it that way.”

Here’s what happened:

With about five seconds left and the Knicks trailing by 3, Randle received an inbounds pass and quickly stepped into a 3-pointer because he anticipated a foul. Irving swiped the ball during the shot’s upward motion, jarring it a little loose, but Randle maintained possession. Randle landed and dropped the ball, prompting the travel call.