The finale of tonight’s showdown between the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden created quite a bit of controversy. Toward the end, it looked like the Pistons were going to win after putting up a resolute defense, forcing Jalen Brunson to miss a three-pointer. Ausar Thompson appeared to have the decisive steal, but Donte DiVincenzo bumped him without being whistled for a foul.
– Don Barzini (@DonBarziniXX) February 27, 2024
DiVincenzo’s steal led to Josh Hart’s and-one layup, giving the Knicks the win and snatching it from their opponents. However, it appeared that DiVincenzo pounced on the Pistons’ rookie, knocking him down and causing him to lose the ball. In reality., the referees, who did not see the call in real time, admitted that they should have whistled a foul on a loose ball for the Knicks guard, which could have put the game in the safe hands of the Detroit Pistons.
“After reviewing the game, we determined that Thompson got to the ball first and then was deprived of the opportunity to get possession. Therefore, a foul should have been whistled on New York’s Donte DiVincenzo.”, team leader James Williams said in his report on the game, as reported by SNY’s Ian Begley.
Crew Chief James Williams says in pool interview with AP’s @briancmahoney that Donte DiVincenzo should have been called for a foul on Ausar Thompson collision late in NYK’s win over DET: pic.twitter.com/XfrIrWMP3g
– Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 27, 2024
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