NBA fans think something fishy was going on during Game 5 between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons.
Instead of getting extra rest ahead of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the defending champion Celtics, New York has to go back to Detroit with hopes of trying to end the series.
In game 5, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart suffered minor injuries and left the game with 2:57 to go and the Knicks trailing by two. Hart briefly returned to the locker room while Brunson stayed on the bench.
Less than a minute of game action later, they were ready to return, but Thibodeau opted against using his final timeout.
That would cost the team dearly as the Pistons went on a run, and the Knicks couldn’t score.
Detroit pushed their lead from two to a comfortable six before Thibodeau finally called timeout with 27.4 seconds to go. It was too late.
Detroit had won the game and kept hopes alive for their season to continue.
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Unfortunately, it appears that TNT was hoping that New York would win. The graphic on everyone’s screen showed that New York won the series 4-1.
LMAOOO pic.twitter.com/xButXc9gGS
— Vanshay Murdock 🎥🎥 (@VanshayM) April 30, 2025
Many fans thought the entire thing was supposed to be rigged so they could move to the next round.
“I’m sure this TNT graphic that has the Knicks leading Detroit 4-1 is nothing but human error. But you do get the feeling that the NBA wants a @nyknicks-@celtics conference semifinals series with no @DetroitPistons involved,” one fan said.
I’m sure this TNT graphic that has the Knicks leading Detroit 4-1 is nothing but human error. But you do get the feeling that the @NBA wants a @nyknicks-@celtics conference semifinals series with no @DetroitPistons involved. pic.twitter.com/IL2elhqyCg
— Dwayne Bray (@DwayneBrayESPN) April 30, 2025
“But TNT graphic just said Knicks won series 4-1. @NBA proven rigged right there,” a second fan wrote.
But TNT graphic just said Knicks won series 4-1. @NBA proven rigged right there.
— DM (@DMRSTLNE) April 30, 2025
“Anyone else catch this?? NYK wins 4-1. What was TNT thinking???” a third fan asked.
Anyone else catch this?? NYK wins 4-1
— CLVSS (@HYCLASSINC) April 30, 2025
What was TNT thinking???#NBA #knicks#Pistons #TNT pic.twitter.com/lPtaZj5VUw
“TNT SHIESTY AF they had the “Knicks win series 4-1″ logo up and ready at the end 😂😂😂😂,” one final fan added.
TNT SHIESTY AF they had the “Knicks win series 4-1” logo up and ready at the end 😂😂😂😂
— BigB (@BlackMaverickk) April 30, 2025
Pistons Trying To Break Nasty Streak Against The Knicks
It has been a long time since the Detroit Pistons last won a playoff game.
The last Pistons playoff win came in Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
Detroit will finally try to break that long streak during game 6 to keep their season alive.
Also Read: VIDEO: Jalen Duren Goes Off On Jalen Brunson With NSFW Rant During Fiery Knicks-Pistons Game 5 Clash
