Referees ignite the controversy over the Knicks vs Pistons finale by admitting a crucial mistake: “a foul should have been called”

A fiercely-contested Game 4 between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons ended in chaotic scenes after officials missed an apparent foul in the dying seconds.

The Knicks managed a 94-93 victory on the road to take a 3-1 lead in the series. However it could have been so different for the Pistons, who felt that they were denied a clear foul in the final seconds.

Guard Cade Cunningham missed a midrange shot at the death but teammate Tim Hardaway Jr was able to scoop up the rebound and attempt a three-pointer, coming under intense pressure from Josh Hart on the wing.

Hardaway’s shooting action was clearly impeded by Hart’s play and his effort fell short. Officials dismissed irate complaints by the Pistons’ players and staff and the game ended with a one-point win for the Knicks.

Within two hours of that dramatic ending, the NBA released a statement showing referee crew chief David Guthrie admitting to have made a mistake in not calling a foul on Hart.

Guthrie told reporters after the game: "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."

Speaking after the game, Pistons head coach J. B. Bickerstaff said: “Go back, look at the film, the guy leaves his feet and there’s contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot. I don’t know any other way around it, there’s contact on his jump shot.”

That will make little difference to the defeated Detroit, who are now just one defeat away from playoff elimination. The two teams meet again on Tuesday evening (7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT) at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks can secure their package in front of a packed home crowd.

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