When Game 3 between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons wrapped up, the scoreboard wasn’t the only thing making headlines. As the Pistons found themselves staring down a 2-1 in the series, it wasn’t just their gameplay under scrutiny, it was the officiating that truly took center stage. Pistons’ head coach JB Bickerstaff, clearly worked up post-game, didn’t hold back as he voiced his frustration over what he believed were procedural misses, including that Jalen Brunson’s backcourt moment.

Now, after hours of speculation and online outrage, the NBA’s official account finally issued a public statement, attempting to put the fire out. But… did it really? JB Bickerstaff didn’t hold back during his post-game press conference. “It’s frustrating for a bunch of different reasons,” he began. While there were several moments he could’ve pointed to, it was the Brunson play that caught his attention. With only 5.8 seconds left on the clock, Jalen Brunson caught the ball in the frontcourt, seemingly setting himself up to move forward. But then, inexplicably, the ball bounced into the backcourt. For Bickerstaff, this should’ve been a clear violation.

He went on to question why there wasn’t a clearer ruling on the situation. He bases his reasoning on a rule he felt should have been enforced.“If you catch the ball, have possession, and put it down—that’s possession in the frontcourt. The ball has to be thrown into the backcourt,” he argued, adding, “So again, maybe I’m wrong, but we’ll see.”

His sentiments resonated with many, as social media platforms buzzed with analyses, debates, and varied interpretations of the play. Knicks fans lauded Jalen Brunson’s awareness, while Pistons supporters felt aggrieved. However, NBA referee official Zach Zarba clarified the situation during a post-game interview.

According to Zarba, Rule 4, Section 6G regarding frontcourt and backcourt status explains that the backcourt violation rule doesn’t apply in this situation. “The frontcourt-backcourt status is not obtained until a player with the ball has established a positive position in either half,” he explained.

He elaborated that during the last two minutes of the fourth period and any overtime periods, special rules apply for the throw-in situations. “In this instance, during the throw-in in the last two minutes of the fourth period and the last two minutes in any overtime period, Brunson’s momentum was taking him into the backcourt,” Zarba continued. “When he touched the ball, he was not in a ‘positive position’ in the frontcourt due to that momentum. Therefore, that play was legal.”

This explanation from Zarba sheds light on why the referees allowed the play to stand. Essentially, because of Jalen Brunson’s momentum and the timing of the play, it didn’t meet the criteria for a backcourt violation. Bickerstaff’s frustration was understandable, but the rule’s nuance here provided a legal framework for the referee’s decision.

But let’s not forget, the game isn’t just defined by one controversial call. With the score settled and the Pistons facing a 2-1 deficit, the real question is: how do they respond? This is a team that’s been through their fair share of adversity, and the road ahead won’t be easy.

The Pistons’ frustration meets the Knicks’ composure: what’s next?

Alright, so the call was controversial. No question about it. But let’s be real, that’s not all there is to this game. After the dust settled and the Pistons found themselves down 2-1 in the series, they face the task of shaking off the frustration and regrouping. But here’s what stood out in Game 3:

1. Towns Came to Play. Karl-Anthony Towns was on fire after his rough Game 2. He dropped 31 points, including 11 in the first quarter, and showed that when he’s in transition, he’s a nightmare. The man loves trailing the break, knocking down threes, or blowing by defenders off the dribble. After the Pistons tried to clamp him down, he came through with clutch plays, including a tough and-one over Jalen Duren to push the Knicks back up by four. When Towns is rolling, he’s tough to stop.

2. Pistons’ Growing Pains. Detroit’s youth showed yet again in Game 3. They’ve been up and down all season, and the mistakes piled up—bad shot selection, fouls at the wrong time, and turnovers. Malik Beasley’s questionable shot in transition to end the first quarter was just the start. The Pistons couldn’t capitalize on the Knicks’ mistakes, and though Cade Cunningham preached learning from it all, it’s clear they need to clean up their game if they’re going to compete.

3. Almost, But Not Quite. The Pistons had their chances to tie or take the lead, but they couldn’t get the one shot they needed. Tim Hardaway Jr. missed a wide-open three in transition, and Cunningham got blocked by Towns when he drove to the basket late. Detroit’s missed opportunities have been their Achilles’ heel in this series—one more shot could’ve changed the whole game.

So, what’s next for Detroit? Sure, the call stung, but they’ve got to move on. They’ve got the talent, the firepower, but it’s all about how they respond now. Will they let the frustration get to them and lose focus, or will they come out swinging in the next game? The ball’s in their court, but they’ll need more than just talk to get back in this series.