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Knicks vs. Pistons: JB Bickerstaff irate with NBA officials following controversial no-call to end New York playoff win

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•about 13 hours•

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Pistons Knicks foul call controversy Hardaway
© David Reginek-Imagn Images

Detroits fan aren’t happy after officials failed to call a controversial foul in the closing moments of the Pistons’ 94-93 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of their first-round NBA Playoffs series. The play in question occurred on the Pistons’ final offensive possession of the game.

After Pistons star Cade Cunningham missed a potential game-winner with nine seconds left on the clock, Detroit forward Tobias Harris fought for the rebound in the paint. As a result of the war down low, the ball rolled to Pistons guard Tim Hardaway Jr. in the corner, where he pump faked before attempting a last-second 3-pointer.

Knicks guard Josh Hart jumped at Hardaway’s pump fake and seemed to make contact with Hardaway on his shot attempt but the officials didn’t blow call a foul. Hardaway missed the shot and the Knicks escaped victorious.

Pistons fans rained down curses and insults at the referees as they attempted to leave the court. They were far from the only ones frustrated with the no-call.

Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff chased after the officials, demanding an explanation. The loss is the Pistons’ ninth consecutive playoff loss at home, tied for the most in NBA history. The Knicks have a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

Despite the controversy surrounding the final play, each team was called for 17 fouls throughout the game. The Knicks shot 18 free throws in the game and the Pistons shot 17.

While Cunningham couldn’t sink his game-winning shot attempt, he was phenomenal on Sunday. He tallied a team-high 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while shooting 11-23 from the field in the loss.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson were a two-man wrecking crew for the Knicks, combining for 59 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists on 9-14 shooting from beyond the arc. Towns was particularly clutch down the stretch, scoring back-to-back clutch buckets in the final minute of the game.

The Pistons were without center Isaiah Stewart for the third consecutive game in the series. Stewart suffered a knee injury in Game 1 against the Knicks after playing 19 minutes. Bickerstaff is unsure whether Stewart will be able to return in the first round.

On Tuesday, the Pistons and Knicks will square off in Game 5. If the Knicks win, they will advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The two teams will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.