In a tightly contested Game 4 of the NBA playoffs, the New York Knicks secured a 94-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons, moving one win away from advancing in the series. However, the game ended with controversy, as Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. appeared to be fouled on a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, but no foul was called.
Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff did not hold back in his postgame comments, expressing frustration with the officiating during the final play. “There was contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot,” Bickerstaff said. “The guy leaves his feet, he’s at Timmy’s mercy. There’s contact on his jump shot, and I don’t know any other way around it.”
The controversial moment came after the Knicks had mounted a late comeback, erasing an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns’ clutch three-pointer with 46.6 seconds left and Jalen Brunson’s playmaking helped New York seize the lead. However, as the game reached its final seconds, Hardaway Jr.’s shot for Detroit was contested by Josh Hart. Bickerstaff felt that the lack of a foul call on Hart’s defense was a critical misstep.
“The guy leaves his feet, there’s contact, and it wasn’t called,” Bickerstaff added. “It’s hard to believe that someone like Cade Cunningham, who drives to the paint as much as he does, only gets four free throws across the last two games. That’s surprising.”
Despite the frustration over the officiating, Bickerstaff acknowledged the great play of his team throughout the game. Detroit’s Cade Cunningham had an impressive triple-double, registering 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, joining Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas as the only Pistons to achieve the feat. However, Cunningham missed key shots and committed a turnover in the final moments, preventing the Pistons from securing the win.
The Knicks’ victory was highlighted by Towns’ 27-point performance, with five three-pointers, and Brunson’s 32 points and 11 assists. The win pushes New York to a 3-1 series lead, with Game 5 set for Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
