The Knicks’ narrow Game 4 victory over the Pistons was marred by controversy after a missed foul call on Josh Hart. With Detroit potentially robbed of a chance to steal the game, questions loom about whether this moment will define the Pistons’ season.
Sunday’s playoff matchup between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons ended in high drama — and even higher controversy.
The Knicks escaped with a 94-93 win to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, but much of the postgame conversation centered around a crucial missed call in the final seconds.
Trailing by one, Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. launched a three-pointer that could have won the game. He was clearly bumped by Knicks forward Josh Hart, but no whistle came. The Knicks grabbed the rebound, the buzzer sounded, and Detroit’s bench erupted in disbelief.
Hart Acknowledges Contact, NBA Confirms Missed Call
After the game, Josh Hart didn’t deny making contact.
“Did I make contact with him? Yeah, I made contact with him,” Hart told ESPN.
“Was it legal? I don’t know. We’ll see in the Last Two Minute Report.”
When the NBA’s official Last Two Minute Report was released, it confirmed what Pistons fans already suspected: Hart’s contact was illegal, and Hardaway Jr. should have been awarded three free throws with 0.3 seconds left on the clock.
Considering the final margin of victory was just one point, it’s easy to see how those free throws could have changed the outcome — and potentially the trajectory of the series.
A Tough Pill to Swallow for Detroit
For Pistons fans, this one will sting for a long time — especially if the Knicks end up closing the series out and making a deep playoff run.
Detroit had played well enough to steal Game 4 on the road. Instead, they head back home facing elimination, wondering what could have been if the officials had gotten the final call right.
Josh Hart, for his part, continued to show his all-around value during Game 4, finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals, playing aggressively on both ends of the court. But his impact — and the Knicks’ win — will now be forever linked to the foul that wasn’t called.
Will This Moment Define the Pistons’ Season?
As the series shifts forward, the Pistons are left to battle not just the Knicks, but the lingering bitterness of a missed opportunity. If they can’t claw their way back into this series, Sunday’s no-call may very well be remembered as the pivot point that cost them their season.