The controversy over the missed foul at the end of Game 4 between the Knicks and Pistons continues to dominate headlines. While the NBA admitted its mistake, voices like Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kendrick Perkins argue Detroit had plenty of chances to win — and ultimately failed to close the game themselves.
Fans were still glued to their seats at Little Caesars Arena after the Detroit Pistons’ heartbreaking 94-93 loss to the New York Knicks Sunday night, stunned not only by the defeat but by the officials’ postgame admission: they blew the final call.
Trailing by one, Pistons guard Tim Hardaway Jr. launched a three-point attempt at the buzzer and was clearly bumped by New York’s Josh Hart. No whistle came. Game over. Knicks win.
After the game, officiating crew chief David Guthrie admitted what many already suspected:
“During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play. 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.”
Hardaway should have gone to the line for three free throws with a chance to win the game. Instead, the Knicks walked away with a 3-1 series lead heading back to Madison Square Garden.
Strong Reactions from NBA Analysts
The TNT crew wasted no time weighing in.
Charles Barkley blasted the NBA’s policy of admitting officiating mistakes after games:
“The NBA, as much as I love it and it’s given me a great life, that’s the stupidest thing ever,” Barkley said.
“How does that actually help the Pistons coming out later with an admission? All you’re doing is throwing referees under the bus.”
Kenny Smith offered a counterpoint, suggesting transparency was still important even if it didn’t change the outcome:
“You feel like it’s not right, but you still want to know.”
Barkley, unconvinced, shot back:
“No, you don’t want to know because there’s nothing you can do about it now.”
Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t understand how such an obvious foul was missed in real-time:
“Why you missed the call? You’re standing right next to him. You’re this close. You shouldn’t have missed that call.”
Kendrick Perkins: “The Pistons Have No One to Blame but Themselves”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins shifted the blame back to Detroit.
“Was it a foul? Yes. But physical play started from the beginning of that game,” Perkins said.
“Cade Cunningham had two crucial turnovers. They had opportunities to take control. They didn’t double Jalen Brunson, the best closer in the playoffs. You don’t leave the game in the officials’ hands.”
Perkins praised the old-school, physical style the NBA is allowing in the playoffs this year, noting that teams must adapt and take control rather than relying on calls to bail them out.
Barkley: “Detroit Played Not to Lose”
Barkley agreed with Perkins, pointing out the Pistons’ passive offense in crunch time:
“They should have won that game. It came down to that one play and they got screwed.
But go back and look at their last 15 possessions — they were playing not to lose.
They were just milking the clock, going one-on-one with less than five seconds left.
I’m sitting there screaming at the TV: run your offense!”
In Barkley’s view, Detroit’s late-game collapse, more than the referees, doomed them.
Conclusion: One Missed Call, But Many Missed Opportunities
The missed foul at the buzzer will haunt Pistons fans, but the broader truth is harsher: Detroit had control of the game and let it slip. Poor late-game execution, questionable decisions, and a lack of killer instinct hurt them far more than one blown whistle.
Now, facing a 3-1 deficit heading back to New York, Detroit’s margin for error is gone — and so might be their season.