The Detroit Pistons can’t catch a break this season, even from referees. NBA crew chief James Williams confessed to a missed call late in their 113-111 loss to the Knicks on Monday in New York.
With less than 10 seconds left in the game, the Knicks trailed by one. New York’s Donte DiVincenzo dived for a loose ball, colliding with Detroit’s Ausar Thompson. In hindsight, DiVincenzo’s action should’ve elicited a foul, according to the referee.
“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,” Williams said in a pool report after the game. “Therefore, a loose ball foul should have been whistled on New York’s Donte DiVincenzo.”
But Williams swallowed his whistle, and New York regained possession. Josh Hart scored the game-winning basket for the Knicks with 2.8 seconds left.
“The absolute worst call of the season,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “We had a chance to win the game, and a guy dove into Ausur’s legs and there was a no-call. That’s an abomination. You cannot miss that in an NBA game, period.”
Monday’s game marked a sixth straight loss for the Pistons, who sport a league-worst 8-49 record.
“We just want a fair game called. Period. And I’ve got nothing else to say,” Williams said. “We want a fair game, and that was not fair.”
Thompson said he didn’t understand why a foul wasn’t called.
“I was very confused when I was on the ground and the play kept going, I’m not going to lie,” the rookie said. “But, I mean, that’s how it goes.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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