DETROIT — The referees missed it. And now, the Pistons are livid.
Tim Hardaway Jr. ought to have been standing on the free-throw line with an opportunity to win Recreation 4.
As an alternative, Josh Hart’s late contest — and clear contact — on Hardaway’s buzzer-beating three went uncalled. The shot missed the rim wide-right, the Knicks escaped with a 94-93 victory, and affirmation of the blown name got here solely after the harm was already achieved.
“During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play,” crew chief David Guthrie advised Detroit Nets reporter Coty Davis within the postgame pool report. “After postgame review, we observed that Hart makes body contact that is more than marginal to Hardaway Jr. and a foul should have been called.”
The ultimate sequence unraveled in chaos.
Down one with seconds remaining, Cade Cunningham missed a mid-range jumper, and Mikal Bridges bobbled the rebound. Solely two days earlier, Bridges had tipped an important leap ball on to Hardaway. Now, historical past almost repeated itself.
“Yeah, I was sick [after fumbling the rebound in Game 4]. It was just kinda like the jump ball. Like, last time I went to jump ball, [it went] right to Timmy. He hits the three. Just bad things happen. I’m just losing it,” Bridges stated. “I had [the ball], then I misplaced it, then it simply rolls. I’m following the ball [with my eyes], and it rolls proper to Timmy.
“I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ But thank God he missed it, and whatever else happened during that play. But I’m happy we won.”
Hart flew full-speed to contest Hardaway’s shot, however the veteran sharpshooter pump-faked him into the air. Hart bit, and Hardaway leaned into the contact whereas elevating for the three.
“All I saw was first the ball going. Then I saw Timmy had it. And I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” Bridges stated. “I don’t understand how a lot time is left at that time. So I’m simply hoping the buzzer goes off or one thing, and I’m simply laying on the bottom. I noticed JB [Jalen Brunson] proper by the bench. He was proper behind him. I checked out him like, ‘Oh my gosh.’
“And Josh, way to be a physical man, I guess. He missed, so I’m thankful.”
The referee, standing simply toes away, swallowed his whistle. The Knicks bolted off the courtroom with the win because the Pistons froze in disbelief.
“You go back and look at the film: The guy [Hart] leaves his feet. There’s contact on Tim Hardaway (Jr.), his jump shot. I don’t know any other way around it,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated after the sport. “There’s contact on his jump shot. The guy leaves his feet, he’s at Timmy’s mercy — and I repeat — there’s contact on his jump shot.”
Even Hart admitted what the replay confirmed — he fouled Hardaway. However no name got here.
“Did I make contact with him? Yeah, I made contact with him. Was it legal? I don’t know,” Hart stated. “We’ll let the two-minute report say that.”
“He shot-faked. I felt like I kind of got there. I felt like I was kind of strayed up. He kind of jumped into me trying to get the foul. At the end of the game, it’s tough. Especially that kind of play, bodies flying. We go with whatever they call. Sometimes it benefits us, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Now, the Knicks head again to Madison Sq. Backyard with a commanding 3-1 collection lead and an opportunity to shut out the Pistons on Tuesday night time.
As for the controversy?
The Knicks’ stars had little interest in re-litigating it.
“I don’t really know what to say to that,” stated Jalen Brunson.
“What do you want me to say? Going back to Madison Square Garden,” Karl-Anthony Cities added with a smile. “Do you like that answer?”
Initially Printed: April 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM EDT
