Pistons Coach Facing Backlash for Decision in Game 4 Loss to Knicks

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Apr 28, 2025 - 02:00
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In the Detroit Pistons' back-and-forth Eastern Conference NBA playoff series with the New York Knicks, every decision throughout the first four games has carried serious consequences.

New York took a 3-1 lead in the series on Sunday with a 94-93 victory that came down to the last possession. If not for a decision by Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in the first quarter of Game 3, the outcome of the last play — and therefore, the outcome of the game and the rest of the series — could have possibly been different.

Bickerstaff was the angriest person in Little Caesars Arena in Detroit when no foul was called on Tim Hardaway Jr.'s three-point attempt to win the game at the buzzer. Josh Hart made slight contact with Hardaway's body, but the officials swallowed the whistle, and the shot did not go in.

There could have been several better outcomes on the possession for the Pistons, which also included a good look from star guard Cade Cunningham. 

However, the regrettable part for Bickerstaff was that he did not have an opportunity to challenge the no-call, as he had unsuccessfully used his only challenge in the first quarter.

Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff reacts during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Fans knew immediately that it was a bad decision. Bickerstaff was facing backlash on social media even before the controversial ending.

"JB Bickerstaff has now lost his challenge in the first half on non consequential plays 3 straight games in the row," said one X user. "He has gotta be the worst playoff coach in the NBA."

"Bickerstaff blowing his challenge in the first quarter was the key play of entire game," another fan wrote. "Just a mistake by the Detroit coaching staff."

"Bickerstaff is singlehandedly the worst challenge caller in the league," criticized a fan.

"Losing your challenge less than 6 minutes into a game over a possession call is exactly why Bickerstaff is a loser that will never win anything," said another harsh critic on X.

After leading his team to a 44-38 regular season record, which was 30 win improvement from last season, Bickerstaff was named one of the three finalists for NBA Coach of the Year along with the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kenny Atkinson and the Houston Rockets' Ime Udoka. 

He will have two days to digest his role in the disappointing loss before having to bounce back in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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