A controversial no-call marred the ending of Sunday’s Knicks-Pistons playoff thriller, overshadowing an epic 94-93 Knicks comeback victory.
Throughout Detroit’s ultimate possession, guard Tim Hardaway Jr. took the final shot from the nook after getting the free ball following a Pistons miss. Earlier than he launched, Knicks ahead Josh Hart bumped into him, influencing his shot, which missed the rim.
Had the decision been made, Hardaway Jr. would have had three free throws with roughly 1.6 seconds left, giving the Pistons a golden likelihood to tie the collection at 2-2.
As a substitute, they’re in a 3-1 gap and want a highway win on Tuesday to maintain the collection — and their season — alive.
Making the loss much more painful, the Pistons wasted one of many best particular person playoff video games in franchise historical past.
Level guard Cade Cunningham had a triple-double, ending the sport with 25 factors, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Per Stathead, he turned simply the second participant in crew historical past to file a playoff triple-double, becoming a member of Corridor of Famer Isaiah Thomas, who achieved the feat twice (1986, 1989).
The controversial ending can also be unlucky as a result of Knicks heart Karl-Anthony Cities and level guard Jalen Brunson must be remembered most from the win.
Cities made some beautiful pictures down the stretch, falling out of bounds alongside the baseline on a two-point try late within the shot clock and drilling a 27-foot three that gave the Knicks the 94-93 lead.
He completed second on the Knicks with 27 factors. Brunson, who exited the sport within the second half with a lower-body harm, returned within the fourth, scoring 15 of his game-high 32 factors.
Sunday’s playoff matinee between the Knicks and Pistons had excellent performances on either side, however officers made the deciding play, turning what got here earlier than it right into a footnote.
