Controversy erupted after Game 4 of the playoff series between the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks, as referee David Guthrie publicly admitted a critical mistake on the game's final play.

With Detroit trailing by two points, veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. launched a contested three-pointer at the buzzer in a desperate attempt to steal the win. Replays showed clear contact from Knicks defender Donte DiVincenzo as Hardaway rose for the shot. No foul was called, the shot missed, and the Knicks escaped with a narrow victory.

Had the foul been properly called, Hardaway Jr. would have been awarded three free throws with a chance to tie—or even win—the game at the free throw line.

Meanwhile, NBA analysts and former players weighed in on social media, criticizing the non-call and stressing the importance of getting decisive plays right, especially in critical playoff moments.

The NBA is expected to address the missed call in the league's official Last Two Minute Report, but the damage for the Pistons has been done. The loss pushes them to the brink of elimination, with the Knicks now holding a 3–1 series lead.

While officiating mistakes are part of the human element of the game, this admission will likely fuel conversations around expanded replay reviews and accountability for referees in late-game situations.

For the Pistons, the focus must now shift to regrouping and trying to extend their season—despite the lingering frustration of what could have been.