Apr 27, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) drives to the basket between Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) and forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (8) during the second quarter of game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images David Reginek-Imagn Images

Detroit Pistons Vet’s Blunt Reaction to Game 4 Loss vs Knicks

Originally posted on Detroit Pistons on SI
By Justin Grasso | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 4:33 PM ET

In a must-win game at home, the Detroit Pistons nearly completed a comeback from a 16-point deficit to tie up the series 2-2 against the New York Knicks. Tim Hardaway Jr., who had a strong Game 3 outing, had a chance to be the hero on Sunday afternoon.

With just seconds left on the clock, the Pistons were hoping to get a successful jumper from Cade Cunningham. While that shot didn’t fall, the Pistons got a second-chance opportunity, which became a last-second corner three let off by Hardaway.

It was an unsuccessful shot, but it should’ve been whistled for a foul, allowing Hardaway to get three shots as his team trailed by one point. Whistles were silent, the buzzer went off, and the home crowd was stunned.

Hardaway wasn’t in the mood to discuss his reaction to the sequence after the game. He kept his postgame availability in the locker room short and blunt.

“You guys saw it,” Hardaway told reporters. “Blatant.”

Moments before the pool report was released, Tim Hardaway Jr. was asked what happened on the final play. Here’s his response:

“You guys saw it. Blatant.” pic.twitter.com/QHVceN0M1Q
— Hunter Patterson (@HuntPatterson_) April 27, 2025

The referees for the afternoon justified the Pistons’ sour feelings on the way everything played out. After the game, a pool report revealed that a foul should’ve been called.

“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,” said Crew Chief, David Guthrie.

Unfortunately, it won’t make a difference. With the Knicks winning the matchup, the Pistons have to travel back to New York to play an elimination game. They managed to split the last two matchups at Madison Square Garden, and they will fight with their backs against the wall this time around.

Detroit and New York are scheduled for a Tuesday night battle.