Foul should have gone against Knicks toward end of playoff win vs. Pistons, NBA says

Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. claimed he was fouled on the last play of the game, a statement supported by the NBA. However, the missed foul call during his 3-point attempt at the end of Detroit’s 94-93 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series was crucial. The NBA admitted the error post-game, stating that a foul should have been called on the Knicks’ Josh Hart.

If the foul had been recognized, Hardaway could have had three free throws with just 0.3 seconds left. Nonetheless, the game concluded on that play, leaving Detroit feeling frustrated. Hardaway expressed his disappointment, calling the missed call “blatant” to reporters after the match.

The Knicks now lead the series 3-1, with Game 5 set in New York on Tuesday. Referee crew chief David Guthrie acknowledged the error, mentioning that Hart’s body contact on Hardaway was more than marginal and should have been penalized. Hart, while admitting to the contact, questioned its legality, leaving the final judgment to the league’s report.

Despite Detroit’s protests, the call stood as the Pistons had exhausted their challenge earlier in the game. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff was visibly upset with the officiating crew but couldn’t contest the call. The sequence began with Cade Cunningham missing a shot and ended with Hardaway’s controversial play in the corner.

Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns avoided commenting on the play, focusing on the team’s victory and the upcoming game at Madison Square Garden.