Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was not happy with the officiating at the end of regulation of Detroit’s 117-113 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Bickerstaff thinks that the referees missed a call in the closing seconds of the contest that could have potentially altered the outcome.
J.B. Bickerstaff Laments Lack of Foul Call in Closing Seconds of Regulation of Game 5
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 25: Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena on February 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
With the game tied at 103 and the clock winding down, Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen appeared to bump, and potentially foul, Pistons guard Ausar Thompson. However, no whistle was blown and the clock expired, sending the game into overtime.
The Pistons went on to lose the game in overtime and afterwards, Bickerstaff expressed his displeasure with the no-call.
“(Jarrett Allen) fouled Ausar. It’s clear,” Bickerstaff said. “He trips him when he’s going for a loose ball. End of game situation, that’s tough.”
Had a foul been called, Thompson would have headed to the line for two free throws. He probably could have iced the game and avoided overtime entirely with a make.
In fairness to Bickerstaff, he has reason to be upset, as it did look like a foul could have been called. Ultimately though, the loss can’t be pinned on a single missed call. The Pistons had ample opportunity to close out the game and they were unable to do so.
J.B. Bickerstaff Hasn’t Been Happy with the Officiating in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
This isn’t the first time in this series that Bickerstaff has had a problem with the officiating in the series. He also ripped the referees for one-sided officiating following Detroit’s loss in Game 4.
“It’s unacceptable, It is. We didn’t do enough, obviously to help ourselves, and I’ll start there. But ever since we came to Cleveland, the whistle has changed. There’s no way that one guy on their team shoots more free throws than our team,” Bickerstaff said.
“We’re not a settle team, we’re not a jump-shooting team. We drive the ball, attack the paint. So what was done out there tonight, it’s frustrating, but we can’t allow that to be the reason why, because we didn’t play well enough and play to the best of our capabilities. But you look at the foul count, you look at the disparity, and that’s hard to overcome. And you wonder why.”
After going up 2-0 in the series, the Pistons have dropped three straight games and are now on the brink of elimination. So with the season on the line, perhaps Bickerstaff should start worrying a little bit less about the officiating and a little bit more about his gameplan.
Pistons’ J.B. Bickerstaff Calls Out Refs for Game-Altering Missed Whistle