Knicks Star Responds to Controversial Call Against Pistons

The New York Knicks officially advanced past the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, setting up a second-round clash with the defending champion Boston Celtics. But their series win didn’t come without drama—particularly in Game 4, when Josh Hart’s late-game contact with Tim Hardaway Jr. on a potential game-winning three sparked controversy.

Hart addressed the play on a special edition of his “Roommates Show” web series. When co-host Matt Hillman asked directly about the moment, Hart didn’t dodge: “Hell yeah, I fouled him,” he admitted, laughing with teammate and co-host Jalen Brunson. “But it’s only a foul if the ref blows the whistle. They didn’t, so nah, I barely touched him!”

Had a foul been called, Hardaway would have had a chance to shoot three free throws to overturn the Knicks’ slim 94-93 win. Game referee David Guthrie later acknowledged a foul should’ve been called, a sentiment echoed in the NBA’s official Last Two-Minute Report.

Brunson jokingly reminded Hart of a similar incident from November, when Hart was called for fouling Coby White of the Bulls with seconds left in a game the Knicks lost 124-123. Hart, in turn, teased that Hardaway tried to draw a foul just like Pistons fans accused Brunson of doing all series.

“If he just shot the ball, who knows what could’ve happened,” Hart said, claiming there was “more contact” in the Hardaway play than in the White one. “Detroit was on JB about foul-baiting all series, and then \[Hardaway] tried it in the biggest moment. It didn’t work, and now they’re mad.”

Told Hardaway might have “choice words” for him, Hart doubled down: “It’s not a foul if they don’t call it, so … whoo.”