NBA officiating blew it for the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. The Motor City underdogs lost their game against the New York Knicks in the closing seconds, courtesy of a baffling missed call by the refs.

With a one-point lead, the Pistons stopped a go-ahead possession by the Knicks when Detroit’s Ausar Thompson intercepted a pass. As Thompson reached half-court, New York’s Donte DiVincenzo charged at the player, knocking the ball loose in the process.

Easy foul call … not for these refs!

WATCH:

After DiVencenzo’s ‘tackle,’ the play stayed alive, and the Knicks recovered. 

Jalen Brunson secured the loose ball and found Josh Hart for the layup and foul by Detroit. Hart’s score sealed the win, 113-111, over the dumbfounded Pistons. Detroit players were up and arms and coach Monty Williams voiced his team’s frustrations with no restraint after the game. 

It’ll cost Monty a pretty penny when the league answers back. In this case, it’s money well spent.

“The absolute worst call of the season, no call. Enough’s enough,” Williams said, puffing his chest and ready to punk the officials for their omission.

“We’ve done it the right way, we’ve called the league, we’ve sent in clips. We’re sick of hearing the same stuff over and over again. We had a chance to win the game, and the guy dove into Ausar’s legs, and there was a no-call. That was an abomination. You cannot miss that in an NBA game. Period.”

The officials’ review after the game admitted to missing the loose ball foul by DiVincenzo, which could’ve sealed the victory for Detroit. 

Crew Chief James Williams informed The Associated Press of their determination after the game.

“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 stated. “Therefore, a loose ball foul should have been whistled on New York’s Donte DiVincenzo.”

“That situation is exhibit A to what we’ve been dealing with all season long, and enough’s enough,” Williams added. “You cannot dive into a guy’s legs in a big time game like that, and there be a no call. It’s ridiculous, and we’re tired of it. We just want a fair game called, period. And I’ve got nothing else to say. We want a fair game, and that was not fair. I’m done.”

DiVicenzo didn’t bother bickering over the officiating or Monty Williams’ after the Knicks’ win. “You can go back the whole game and nitpick calls,” DiVincenzo said, as relayed by The Athletic. 

He added, “Do I think we dodged a bullet overall? Yes. I have great respect for Monty and everybody over there. Like I said, we dodged a bullet with the win.”

(Has the quality of NBA officiating declined in recent seasons? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)

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