Referee Acknowledges Error in Key Moment of Game 4, Climactic Final Play between Pistons and Knicks
In a heated Game 4 of the Pistons vs. Knicks series, Tim Hardaway Jr.'s buzzer-beating three-point shot missed due to a controversial non-call. The Pistons were trailing 93-94, and Cade Cunningham's jumper for the lead missed, leading to a scramble for the rebound. The ball found its way to Hardaway Jr. on the left corner, who feigned out Josh Hart before rising for the shot. Despite appearing to absorb Hart's contact, no foul was called.
Stunned Pistons players, coaches, and fans erupted in anger, requiring security to escort the referees off the court. After a postgame review, referee David Guthrie admitted that contact between Josh Hart and Hardaway Jr. was more than marginal and a foul should have been called.
Despite the last-second drama, the Knicks ultimately sealed the victory through a late rally, led by Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the closing minutes.
The following day, tensions ran high, with Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff criticizing the officials for missing the foul call. Hardaway Jr., also disgruntled with the decision, echoed Bickerstaff's frustration. Two controversial plays—one directly involving Harris and Hart, not Hardaway Jr.'s shot—remain under scrutiny, even after the NBA's "Last Two Minute Report" determined no foul should have been called. As the series moves to New York for Game 5, the Pistons will look to avenge this contentious loss and shift the momentum in their favor.
- Tim Hardaway Jr.'s missed buzzer-beating three-point shot in Game 4 of the Pistons vs. Knicks series was caused by a controversial non-call, leaving the Pistons trailing 93-94.
- Cade Cunningham's jumper for the lead missed, leading to a scramble for the rebound, where the ball eventually found Hardaway Jr. on the left corner.
- Despite appearing to absorb Josh Hart's contact, no foul was called, leading to outrage among Pistons players, coaches, and fans.
- Referee David Guthrie admitted after a postgame review that the contact between Josh Hart and Hardaway Jr. was more than marginal and a foul should have been called.
- The Knicks ultimately sealed the victory through a late rally, led by Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, despite the controversy surrounding Hardaway Jr.'s shot.
- Two controversial plays, including one directly involving Harris and Hart, remain under scrutiny, even after the NBA's "Last Two Minute Report" determined no foul should have been called. The Pistons will seek to avenge this contentious loss and shift the momentum in their favor in Game 5, played in New York.
