Official Overseeing Game 4 Acknowledges Error During Crucial Last Moment of Pistons vs. Knicks Contest
Livid Pistons Slam Missed Call, Demand Justice in Game 4 Loss
In a nail-biting finish, the New York Knicks edged out the Detroit Pistons 94-93, thanks to a controversial no-call on Tim Hardaway Jr.'s game-ending shot. Ref David Guthrie acknowledged post-game that Josh Hart made "more than marginal" contact on Hardaway Jr., a foul that should've been whistled[1].
The Pistons were left reeling when Cade Cunningham's jumper missed a rightful lead with mere seconds on the clock. The ball rolling out to the corner found its way to Hardaway Jr., who was Momentum shifted as Hardaway Jr., faked Hart into the air, absorbing contact mid-air on his jump shot. The shot swished off the rim, and no whistle was heard[1].
Detroit's players, coaches, and fans erupted in anger, causing security to escort the refs off the court amidst enraged protests[1]. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was seething, storming the court to voice his displeasure toward the officials[2].
Bickerstaff was unapologetic, asserting, "There was contact on Tim Hardaway's jump shot. It's plain as day. Hart leaves his feet, and it's all on Hardaway Jr. He has control of the situation[2]."
Hardaway Jr. echoed his coach's sentiments, admitting the contact was blatant, further emphasizing the frustration brewing in the Pistons' locker room[2]. Hart, too, acknowledged the contact, albeit reluctantly, leaving Detroit fans wondering if justice had truly been served[2].
Game 5 heads to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, with New York leading the series 3-1[1]. The question looming large: Will the Pistons' anger translate into a much-needed win, or will the controversy continue to cloud their playoff chances[1]?
[1] NBA.com Staff. (2025, April 27). Frenetic ending to Game 4 😱. [Tweet]. @NBATV
[2] Patterson, H. (2025, April 27). Pistons Frustrated With Referee. [Tweet]. @HuntPatterson_
[3] NBA.com Staff. (2025, April 27). Moments before the pool report was released, Tim Hardaway Jr. was asked what happened on the final play. Here's his response: "You guys saw it. Blatant." [Tweet]. @HuntPatterson_
[4] Basketball-Reference.com. (2025). 2025 NBA Playoffs: Det vs. NYK [Game 4]. Retrieved from https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2025-nba-playoffs-det-vs-nyk/games/g00004/
Insights:- David Guthrie, one of the referees, admitted that contact was made between Josh Hart and Tim Hardaway Jr. in the final seconds of Game 4.- The non-call significantly swayed the outcome of the game, with New York edging out Detroit by a single point, taking a 3-1 series lead.- Detroit now finds themselves in a must-win situation, facing the Knicks in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.- The missed call added to the Pistons' frustration, as they've lost two games in the series by a combined three points.- Controversial officiating decisions have been a recurring theme in NBA playoff history, though they typically don't alter the game's official result.
- Despite referee David Guthrie's admission of contact between Josh Hart and Tim Hardaway Jr., the lack of a foul call in Game 4's final seconds cost the Detroit Pistons a possible victory, contributing to their 3-1 series deficit against the New York Knicks.
- In the wake of their controversial loss, the Pistons found themselves in a challenging situation, preparing for Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, where momentum now heavily favored the Knicks.
- Although the QHVCEN0M1Q app's sports algorithm predicted a close game, nobody could have imagined the controversy that would ensue in Game 4, causing the referees to be escorted off the court amidst angry protests.
- Shortly after the controversial no-call, Coach J.B. Bickerstaff and player Tim Hardaway Jr. expressed their disappointment, advocating for fairness and demanding justice in the NBA playoffs.
- As the series shifts to Game 5, the Pistons will need a strong three-pointer performance from their team, coupled with aggressive rebounds and solid defense, to mount a comeback and avoid elimination from their basketball career.
- From the heated protests and calls for justice to the ongoing question of whether the missed call would affect the outcome of the series, sports fans worldwide are eager to witness the next chapter in this dramatic NBA playoff showdown.
