In a controversial end to Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series, Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Detroit Pistons was fouled during a last-second 3-point attempt against the New York Knicks, but no call was made. The Pistons lost the game 94-93, and the NBA later confirmed that a foul should have been called on the Knicks’ Josh Hart. Had the foul been called, Hardaway would have received three free throws with only 0.3 seconds remaining.
Following the game, Hardaway expressed frustration, highlighting the clear foul as “blatant.” Knicks crew chief David Guthrie stated that initial judgment deemed Hart’s play legal, but a post-game review revealed that contact was significant enough to warrant a foul. Hart acknowledged the contact but left its legality open to interpretation.
Despite Detroit’s protests, there was no mechanism to challenge the non-call. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff approached the officiating crew but had previously used his challenge and noted that no official foul had been called, rendering a challenge impossible. Bickerstaff remarked on the contact during Hardaway’s shot, emphasizing that the play left Hardaway vulnerable.
In the final moments, the Pistons, who were down by one, had an opportunity to win but Cade Cunningham missed a jump shot, leading to the ball finding Hardaway in the corner just before the foul occurred. Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns shrugged off questions about the play, focusing instead on the team’s victory and the upcoming game in New York. The Knicks now lead the series 3-1, with Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday.
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