Pelicans given technical after ploy to have ballboy stall time vs. Knicks

NEW ORLEANS — The Pelicans’ ballboy was caught up in an act of trickery that resulted in a technical foul. 

In the second quarter of the Knicks’ 104-93 victory over the Pelicans, a loose ball bounced over the baseline near New York’s basket and it wasn’t clear who touched it last.

The referee awarded the ball to the Knicks but, as the Pelicans were considering whether to challenge the ruling, the ballboy attempted to stall by wiping a clean court. 

Replays suggested the ballboy was urged to “sweep” by the Pelicans’ bench — including one player who gave a little nudge on the back — and Knicks players confirmed they heard the orders. 

“The bench was yelling, ‘Sweep, sweep,’ ” Brunson told The Post. “And not one person had fallen on the floor.” 

The referee issued a technical on the Pelicans — or maybe to the ballboy — and Brunson converted the foul shot to cut the deficit to four with 4:19 left in the half.