Many did not see Pelle’s debut against the Pistons because the Knicks had already closed the game. When he first received the ball, Pelle was fouled on his way up from a dunk, and stuck a finger in the iron rim. While landing, Pelle looked at his index finger bent in all directions. And he smiled at the disfigurement.
The Knicks coaches rushed out to assist Pelle. Eventually they put the finger back in place.
Pelle said he wanted to shoot free throws. Coach Anthony Goenaga tied his fingers. Pelle went to the free-throw line, he made one of two free throws.
On the other hand, the center that blocks the shots played the part. Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons’ tough first-round Rochester first-round record, tried to shoot at Pelle twice and got stuck each time, first with Pelle’s right hand, then his left.