In the closing seconds of the fourth quarter of game four of the Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks first-round playoff game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, April 27, 2025, Detroit center Tim Hardaway Jr. is bumped by New York guard Josh Hart.

The tension was palpable in Little Caesars Arena on April 27, 2025, as the Detroit Pistons faced off against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of their highly contested first-round playoff series. With mere seconds left in the fourth quarter, the game was on the line, and the outcome hinged on a dramatic, high-pressure moment involving two of the game’s standout players: Detroit center Tim Hardaway Jr. and New York guard Josh Hart. A bump in the closing seconds could have shifted the entire course of the series.

As the clock ticked down and the atmosphere grew more intense, Hardaway Jr., known for his sharpshooting and strong presence in the paint, was in the midst of a play that could potentially decide the game. His team, the Detroit Pistons, had fought hard to stay in the game, while the Knicks, under head coach Tom Thibodeau, were looking to take a commanding 3-1 series lead heading back to Madison Square Garden.

By the time the ball was in Hardaway Jr.’s hands, the score was tied, and the Pistons were looking to take the lead with the final possession. The game had been an emotional roller coaster, with both teams trading leads in the second half. Detroit had come into the game down 2-1 in the series, knowing that a loss would almost certainly put them on the brink of elimination. New York, meanwhile, was trying to build on their success in the series, determined to close out the Pistons in front of a rowdy Detroit crowd.

The stage was set for a dramatic finish. The final moments of Game 4 were electrifying, with the crowd standing and holding its breath as the Pistons moved into position for one last shot. Hardaway Jr., with his poise under pressure, was the focal point of the offense. As the clock wound down, he began to make his move toward the basket, looking for a shot that could put Detroit ahead for the first time in the final minutes of the game.

However, as Hardaway Jr. navigated toward the hoop, Josh Hart, the relentless defender for the Knicks, stepped into his path. Hart, known for his ability to disrupt plays with his defensive instincts and tenacity, had been tasked with guarding Hardaway Jr. during crucial stretches of the game. As Hardaway Jr. pushed forward, Hart’s defense became more aggressive, leading to a brief but impactful bump just outside the paint.

The bump was a subtle but significant moment in the game. Hart, in his attempt to slow down Hardaway Jr. and prevent him from getting an open look at the basket, made contact with the Detroit center. It was a minor collision, but in a game of this magnitude, where every possession mattered, it was enough to catch the attention of the referees and, perhaps more importantly, the fans.

The first question that arose after the bump was whether or not Hart’s contact had been a foul. On the court, Hardaway Jr. was visibly frustrated, his arms raised as he pleaded his case to the referees. From his perspective, Hart’s bump had been a deliberate act of physicality aimed at disrupting his momentum. The referees, however, took a moment to assess the situation. Replays showed that Hart’s contact was certainly noticeable, but it was unclear if it met the threshold for a foul. It was a delicate decision, as the outcome of the game hinged on this very play.

In the end, the referees ruled that Hart’s defense had been within the bounds of what was allowable, and no foul was called. The decision left Hardaway Jr. visibly upset, while Hart exhaled in relief. The Pistons had been denied the chance to potentially take the lead with a free throw, and now, the Knicks were left with one last defensive stand to preserve their tie and force overtime or perhaps seal a dramatic victory.

For Tim Hardaway Jr., the non-call was a bitter pill to swallow. He had worked tirelessly to get into position for a game-winning shot, only to have the final play interrupted by what he perceived to be a foul. Hardaway Jr.’s role in the Pistons’ success had been vital all season, and he had emerged as one of the key players on the team. His ability to score from all areas of the court, combined with his leadership, made him indispensable in tight playoff games like this one.

The failure to get the call, though, wasn’t just about Hardaway Jr.’s frustration. It had a ripple effect throughout the Pistons’ locker room. A non-call at the end of the game can leave a lasting emotional scar on a team, especially when it occurs under such high stakes. For the Pistons, this moment could have been a turning point in their playoff hopes. A win would have tied the series at 2-2, giving them a fresh opportunity to take control in the next few games. Instead, the missed call left them emotionally drained, and it placed the weight of the series on the Pistons’ shoulders heading into Game 5.

For Josh Hart, the bump was just another example of his fearless approach to defense. Hart, known for his versatility on both ends of the court, had been instrumental in keeping Hardaway Jr. and the Pistons from finding consistent rhythm throughout the series. His ability to disrupt plays, box out, and lock down opposing scorers made him a vital asset for the Knicks.

Hart’s defensive play in the closing moments of Game 4, while controversial, was a testament to his relentless nature. Hart has always prided himself on being a gritty defender, and his ability to stay in front of his man and contest shots is what makes him such a valuable player. In this case, the bump was a part of his defensive strategy to not give Hardaway Jr. any room to operate. While some may view the bump as a questionable decision, Hart’s defensive mindset had been a major factor in the Knicks’ success in the series.

After the game, Hart addressed the play, acknowledging that the physicality was part of his role but emphasizing that he didn’t want to do anything that would put his team in jeopardy. His calm demeanor and focus on the task at hand were evident in his comments about the non-call. Hart was content with the referees’ decision but knew that the outcome of the game could have gone either way, depending on how the officials saw the play.

From the referees’ perspective, the bump was a challenging call to make. With so much on the line in a playoff game, every whistle could drastically change the momentum. The decision to allow play to continue without calling a foul on Hart was not made lightly. Referees are tasked with interpreting the flow of the game and ensuring that the actions of the players are within the confines of the rules. In this instance, they determined that Hart’s bump did not rise to the level of a foul, and that the game should proceed without interruption.

This decision, however, sparked heated debate among fans and analysts alike. Many Pistons fans argued that the bump was an intentional act of physicality designed to throw off Hardaway Jr.’s timing and prevent him from executing his final play. Others contended that it was simply part of the hard-fought nature of playoff basketball, where small moments of contact can make all the difference.

Regardless of the perspective, the non-call had a profound effect on the trajectory of the game and the series. The Knicks were able to hold on to the tie, and after a few tense seconds of back-and-forth, the game moved into overtime, where New York eventually took control and won the game.

For the Pistons, Game 4 was a missed opportunity, one that could have swung the momentum back in their favor. The non-call on Hardaway Jr. highlighted the fine line between victory and defeat in playoff basketball. With the series now at 3-1 in favor of the Knicks, Detroit found themselves in a perilous position. They would need to win three straight games to advance, a task that seemed increasingly difficult as the Knicks’ confidence grew with each victory.

For the Knicks, the victory was both a relief and a testament to their resilience. While they had benefitted from the non-call, they knew that Game 4 had been one of their toughest challenges yet. They had faced a Detroit team hungry for a win, and even without the final whistle in their favor, they had found a way to come out on top. The Knicks knew they still had to finish the job in Game 5, but their collective belief in their ability to close out the series was stronger than ever.

As the series continued, both teams reflected on the importance of the closing moments of Game 4. For Detroit, the pain of the non-call would remain a key talking point, but they also knew that their playoff fate was far from decided. For New York, the win in Game 4 gave them a chance to put the series away—but they knew, too, that they could not afford to get complacent as they headed into the next contest.

The events of April 27, 2025, would surely go down as one of the most debated moments of this playoff series, with the bump between Hardaway Jr. and Hart remaining a focal point for both fans and analysts. As the postseason progressed, the question remained: could Detroit recover from the disappointment of Game 4, or would the Knicks’ resilience be enough to propel them past the Pistons in the next round? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain—the stakes had never been higher, and the intensity of the series was far from over.