Referee Admits Knicks Committed Foul on Winning Play vs. Pistons

The no-call led to a game-winning basket for New York on Monday night.

The New York Knicks were in an unexpected battle with the lowly Detroit Pistons on Monday night in a contest that ended in such chaos that the league’s officiating crew had to admit a late-game error.

Here’s what happened.

With the Pistons leading 111–110 with 22.3 seconds to play, the Knicks went to work looking to set up a go-ahead basket. After a Jalen Brunson three-point attempt missed, there was a scramble play in which the ball changed possession a few times. Ultimately, Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo retained the ball at the top of the key with 10 seconds to play. DiVincenzo attempted to swing the ball to Brunson on the wing, but the pass was stolen away by Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson. 

As Thompson tried to breakaway down the floor, he collided with DiVincenzo in what appeared to be an obvious foul. However, the officials swallowed the whistle. Brunson grabbed the loose ball and hit Josh Hart with a dart of a pass that led to a go-ahead layup with 2.8 seconds to play. New York ended up winning the game 113–111.

Donte DiVincenzo spears the knees of Ausar Thompson, isn’t called for a foul, the Knicks then score and win.

WHAT! pic.twitter.com/DF7h73GzT2

— Aaron Johnson (@AJohnsonNBA) February 27, 2024

After the game, NBA referee James Williams admitted that DiVincenzo should have been called for a foul on the collision with Thompson.

“Upon postgame review, we determined that Thompson gets to the ball first, and then was deprived of the opportunity to gain possession of the ball. Therefore, a loose ball foul should have been whistled on New York’s Donte DiVincenzo,” Williams said in the pool report.

Pistons coach Monty Williams didn’t shy away from bashing the officiating in the wake of the loss.

“The absolute worst call of the season. No call? Enough is enough,” Williams said as he opened his press conference. “We’ve done it the right way. We’ve called the league. We’ve sent in clips. We’re sick of hearing the same stuff over and over again. We had a chance to win the game and the guy dove into Ausar’s legs and there was a no call. That’s an abomination.”

"The absolute worst call of the season. Enough is enough!"

Monty Williams goes off on refs and then walks out of press conference after the Pistons 2-point loss to the Knicks.pic.twitter.com/unUyXbkr8b

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 27, 2024

Monday night’s loss was the latest in a rough season for Detroit, as the Pistons dropped to a league-worst 8–49. The Knicks moved to 35–23 on the year and sit in sole possession of fourth place in the East.