Pistons coach Williams slams 'the absolute worst call of the season'
Patric Ridge
February 27, 2024 00:39 MYT
February 27, 2024 00:39 MYT
Monty Williams slammed "the absolute worst call of the season" after the Detroit Pistons lost to the New York Knicks on Monday.
The Pistons lost 113-111 to the Knicks, in large part due to an obvious case of the officials missing a blatant foul with 8.5 seconds left, after Donte DiVincenzo barged into Ausar Thompson.
Referee James Williams subsequently admitted a mistake had been made.
And Williams was left seething.
"The absolute worst call of the season," Williams said.
"No call, and enough's enough. 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 a guy dove into Ausur's legs and there was a no-call. That's an abomination. You cannot miss that in an NBA game. Period. And I'm tired of talking about it. I'm tired of my guys asking, 'What more can we do, Coach?' That situation is Exhibit A to what we've been dealing with all season long, and enough's enough.
"You cannot dive into a guy's legs in a big-time game like that and there be a no-call," he continued. "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."
The Pistons were also on the end of a controversial decision in their loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
"I'd say livid," said Cade Cunningham, who scored 32 points and added five rebounds and five assists.
"That's the word of the day: livid."
went to work pic.twitter.com/DhUQRIsA1I — Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 27, 2024
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Explaining his attempt to win the ball, DiVincenzo said: "I went for the ball. I didn't look at the play. You turn the ball over, the ball is in front of you, and you go after the ball. Like I said, I respect everyone's opinion. I can't speak on it until I look at the film."
The controversy came a day after LeBron James and Darvin Ham questioned the officials after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns.
Detroit sit bottom of the Eastern Conference, while the Knicks are in fourth.