Image Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

NBA Admits ‘Foul Should Have Been Called’ by Referees During Pistons’ 94–93 Game 4 Loss to Knicks in Playoffs 2025

The Knicks are leading the series 3-1.

Image Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

The NBA admitted that a crucial foul was missed by referees during a first-round Playoffs 2025 clash. On April 26, the Detroit Pistons suffered a narrow 94-93 loss to the New York Knicks in a thrilling encounter. Following the game, Pistons’ Tim Hardaway Jr. said that he got fouled on the final play, but the referees missed the call. However, the league was quick to accept the same and admitted that a foul should have been called on the Knicks’ Josh Hart.

After the game, Crew Chief David Guthrie told a pool reporter and said, “During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play.” He added, “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.”

NBA Referee David Guthrie comments to a pool reporter after today's New York at Detroit game: https://t.co/XHjHM1kBSi
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) April 27, 2025

How Did Piston-Knicks Game 4 End On a Chaotic Note?

Tim Hardaway Jr. launched a corner three and was bumped by Josh Hart. However, referees didn’t call for a foul and the Knicks escaped the game with the 3-1 win. Had the foul been called, Hardaway would have been awarded three free throws with about 0.3 seconds left. The game ended on that play and the Pistons were left disappointed.

Also Read: ‘The Whistle Was Gonna Head Their Way’ – Magic’s Jamahl Mosley Fumes After Game 4 Loss

Things unfolded with 11.1 seconds left on the clock and they were down by one. Cade Cunningham missed a shot with 7.4 seconds remaining, and the ball ended up in Hardaway’s hands in the left corner. While Hardaway ball-faked to get Hart into the air, and while the latter made contact with the former, the foul wasn’t called.

After the game, Hardaway was heard saying to the reporters, “You guys saw it. Did I make contact with him? Yeah, I made contact with him,” Hart said. “Was it legal? I don’t know. We’ll let the two-minute report say that.” Following the game, the Pistons are trailing the series 1-3, and will meet the Knicks in a decisive Game 5 encounter on Tuesday, April 29.

Also Read: LeBron James Disgusted: “The Hand Is Part of the Ball, That’s What They Say”

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NBA Playoffs 2025

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Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.