If there is anything more gut-wrenching than losing a game, it has to be a no-call decision from the referees. Absolutely Cruel! Such incidents turn the game upside down. Such incidents stray away from a team from a potential win. Is it unfair? Yes. Is it a mistake in decision-making? Could be. But is it acceptable? No. How are the Detroit Pistons going to accept the truth that their possible win in Game 4 slipped away because of Tim Hardaway Jr.’s brutal fate? 94-93 on the scoreboard might seem ordinary, and has happened many times already. But today? Absolute mayhem.

It was meant to be a foul. Hardaway Jr., one of the league’s deadliest shooters, deserved better. Yet, once again, the refs missed a clear foul. Josh Hart crashed into him, and the ball flew nowhere near the rim. Even ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins couldn’t hold back, slamming the no-call moments later.

The Pistons were down just one when chaos broke loose. Tim Hardaway Jr., a reliable free-throw shooter, had a real shot at flipping the game. But after a scramble and a near-perfect kickout, contact on his shot went ignored. The refs stayed silent, and the moment slipped away, so did the game. Meanwhile, J.B. Bickerstaff stormed the court, furious but powerless. The Knicks escaped with a controversial 3-1 series lead. Once again, a no-call decided everything. And the Pistons were left to swallow the injustice.

Now, the Knicks stole both games in Detroit, capping it with a brutal 94-93 win. Leaving the Detroit Pistons limping back to MSG, down and desperate. Yet, there’s a sliver of hope, they’ve battled well there all year. Still, the pressure is crushing, and there’s no room left for mistakes. And after the incident at Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons fans and the NBA fans in general are fuming with rage. Isn’t it natural to feel this anger and pain that Hardaway, too, might be feeling right now?

Fans are not happy as Tim Hardaway Jr.’s ill luck puts the Pistons at eviction risk after Game 4 vs. the Knicks

One of the fans called out the referee’s decision and commented on X: “I can’t believe they didn’t call that foul. SMH!” Josh Hart bumped Tim Hardaway Jr. on the final shot, yet the whistles stayed silent. As the miss sealed the Knicks’ win, the clock cruelly ran out. Now, furious NBA fans are left raging over another late-game injustice.

Meanwhile, someone wrote: “Foul Foul Foul #NBAPlayoffs2025.” The Pistons surely never imagined it would come to this. One whistle could’ve handed Hardaway three shots and maybe the game. Instead, silence sealed their fate. Now, like it or not, there’s no turning back. Game 5 is the target before it’s too late.

Even the Lakers’ insider Trevor Lane took to his X to tweet: “WOW refs missed the call that should have put Hardaway on the line with the Pistons down 1. Hate to see a game decided by an officiating error.” Hardaway Jr. was having a good game at his home arena. He scored 14 points in the crucial matchup. However, no whistle was blown when Hart crashed into him. He deserved a trip to the line with the game hanging by a thread.

On the other hand, “The NBA has always and will always have it out for Detroit,” screams the frustration Detroit fans know too well. No matter the era, it feels like the NBA tilts the floor against them. Every missed call, like Hardaway’s, just adds to the bitter history. It’s a battle Detroit never seems allowed to win.

Now, another fan used an image to explain the incident:

So, after Sunday’s game, everything boils down to Game 5 for the Detroit Pistons. As the Knicks march towards Round 2 of the postseason, Tim Hardaway Jr. could become the hurdle and the toughest one. It’s a do-or-die situation for Detroit now.