The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 3-1 lead over the Detroit Pistons in their first-round series with a 94-93 win in Game 4 at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday. The Pistons had stolen home-court advantage by winning Game 2 in New York, but have followed that up by losing both their home games and are now on the brink of elimination.
The Pistons lost here despite getting a triple-double from Cade Cunningham. Cunningham had 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks on the night, but the Pistons fell just short. While the defeat stung, the Pistons’ frustrations were exacerbated by what they believed was a horrific no-call in the closing stages.
The Pistons were certain that Josh Hart had fouled Tim Hardaway Jr. as he attempted a potential game-winning 3-pointer. Hardaway had pump-faked following a crazy scramble, which led to Hart leaping in the air.
That made it easy for Hardaway to draw contact as he attempted the game-winner, but the officials felt no foul had been committed. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff strongly disagreed, as he kept repeating in his postgame press conference that contact had been made.
“The guy leaves his feet and there’s contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot,” Bickerstaff said, via Oh No He Didn’t. “I don’t know any way around it. The guy leaves his feet, he’s at Timmy’s mercy, and I’ll repeat – there’s contact on his jump shot.”
JB Bickerstaff: “There’s contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot (3x)” https://t.co/PGRqbFuzA9pic.twitter.com/Oh1KBjqgpI
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 27, 2025
The Pistons feel hard done by, but they need to put this behind them quickly. Game 5 will be at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Related: Fans Throw Major Accusations At NBA After Knicks Beat Pistons In Game 4