The Detroit Pistons were frustrated with a no-call late in the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
During the final seconds of the game, Pistons forward Ausar Thompson knocked the ball away from Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell.
With the game tied up, it couldâve been an opportunity for the Pistons to get up a final shot to complete the game with a win. However, Thompson was tripped up and lost control. The ball bounced out of bounds, while the time ran out.
The Pistons were frustrated with the lack of a call.
GettyAusar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons gets ejected by offical, John Goble #10, during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on December 18, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gunnar Word/Getty Images)
âI mean, we all saw the play, I think itâs pretty clear it was a foul,â Pistons star Cade Cunningham said.
âHe has the ball in his possession, heâs running forward, he gets tripped up. Itâs a foul, itâs been a foul the whole rest of the game, it wasnât a foul that time. But close game, I mean, nobody wants to make that call, I guess. Everybody just wants to allow the game to sort itself out. So nobody wants to interfere with it whenever it should have been a foul.â
JB Bickerstaff shared a similar message.
â(Jarrett Allen) fouled Ausar. Itâs clear,â Bickerstaff told reporters. âHe trips him when heâs going for a loose ball. End of game situation, thatâs tough.â
The NBA Makes An Announcement On The Play
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 22: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on October 22, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
As always, the NBA reviewed the final two minutes of the game.
According to the report, the league decided to rule the play as the correct no-call.
âAllen (CLE) and Thompson (DET) legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact,â the report stated.
Despite what the Pistons wanted to believe, the league did not justify their arguments. The NBA has decided that the officiating crew made the right decision at the time.
The Pistons got a chance to win the game in overtime, but they came up short.
The Cavaliers defeated Detroit with a 117-113 score. Despite trailing 0-2 early on in the series, the Cavaliers are now up 3-2 over Detroit. The Pistons have a chance to force another game in their Game 6 battle on Friday, May 15.
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