Refs Admit Blunder on Buzzer-Beater in Knicks’ Nail-Biting Win Over Pistons

DETROIT — Game 4 between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons ended in drama, and officials later admitted they missed a crucial call on the final play.

With just 0.3 seconds left and the Knicks up by one, Detroit’s Tim Hardaway Jr. went up for a potential game-winning three-pointer. Knicks guard Josh Hart made clear contact with Hardaway, but no foul was called. The shot missed, and the Knicks escaped with a 94–93 win, taking a 3-1 lead in the series.

After the game, crew chief David Guthrie admitted to reporters that a foul should have been called. “During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play,” Guthrie said. “But upon postgame review, we saw that the contact was more than marginal and a foul should’ve been called.”

If the foul had been called, Hardaway would’ve had a chance to win it at the free throw line with three shots.

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and fans were outraged. “There was contact. Hart left his feet,” Bickerstaff said. Hardaway added, “You all saw it. It was blatant.”

Hart admitted to bumping Hardaway but wasn’t sure it was illegal. “Did I make contact? Yeah. Was it legal? I don’t know,” he said.

The game had been a back-and-forth battle. Detroit took control early in the fourth, leading 84–74. Knicks star Jalen Brunson left briefly with an ankle injury but returned to score 15 points in the final 10 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns hit clutch shots, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 46.6 seconds left.

Brunson (32 points, 11 assists) and Towns (27 points, 9 rebounds) led New York’s comeback. Cade Cunningham was brilliant for Detroit with a triple-double (25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), but struggled in the final minute.

As for the missed call, Towns grinned and said, “We’re going back to Madison Square Garden. We got the win.”

Game 5 is Tuesday in New York, with the Knicks looking to close out the series.