The Detroit Pistons’ playoff hopes took a devastating blow as they lost to the New York Knicks 94-93 on Sunday, falling behind 3-1 in the series. The game was marked by intense physicality, but it was a single referee call that changed the course of the contest.
With the clock expiring, Pistons point guard Tim Hardaway Jr. lined up for a 3-point attempt from the corner. However, Knicks’ Josh Hart leaped at him and made contact, which the referees ultimately ruled was not enough to warrant a foul. The call sparked outrage among the Pistons players, who felt it was a blatant non-call.
The Pistons had taken a late lead, with star Cade Cunningham scoring 25 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds. However, Cunningham’s shot was missed at the rim, and Hardaway Jr. tapped in the rebound, but Hart bumped him on the way up to shoot. Despite the controversy surrounding the non-call, Cunningham remained calm, saying “It falls on us” – emphasizing that the Pistons must take control of the game.
The Knicks’ victory was sparked by Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, who both had impressive performances. Brunson returned from an ankle injury and scored 32 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 46 seconds remaining to give the Knicks the lead.
Pistons coach Monty Williams was calm and blunt in his assessment of the non-call, saying “There’s contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot… Some people get to play more physical.” The Pistons will now face their biggest challenge yet in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, where they must find a way to overcome their frustration and refocus.
The series has been marked by intense physicality, but the referee call was a turning point. The Pistons cannot afford to let frustration get the best of them and must take control of the game. As Williams said, “Don’t wait until the end to take it.”
Source: https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/bob-wojnowski/2025/04/27/wojo-detroit-pistons-get-jobbed-cant-finish-job-vs-new-york-knicks/83311046007