NBA Pool Report Addresses Missed Foul Debate After Pistons' Overtime Loss to Cavaliers
There was an online debate among fans during the final seconds of the fourth quarter of the Detroit Pistons-Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5 on Wednesday. With the clock winding down, Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell drove to the basket to try to go for the win, with the score tied at 103. However, Ausar Thompson stole the ball.
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen battled for the loose ball and accidentally tripped Thompson. Fans thought that a foul should've been called on Allen. However, the referees did not blow their whistles, and the game went to overtime. Cleveland outplayed Detroit in overtime to secure a 117-113 win and take a 3-2 lead in the series.
After the game, crew chief Tony Brothers was asked about the final play of the fourth period in the pool report via Detroit News' Coty Davis. Brothers explained why they didn't call a foul on Allen.
"During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball," Brothers said.
Tony Brothers on why a foul wasn't called during the final play of regulation involving Thompson and Allen:
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) May 14, 2026
"During live play, both players were going for the ball, and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball." #Pistonshttps://t.co/E0TXb5pNQK
Davis asked the official if the play should've been called for a foul. Brothers said that that the play will be reviewed for tomorrow's "Last Two-Minute Report."
"No, there was incidental contact on the play. The play will be reviewed by the league office tomorrow and it will be posted in the L2M."
Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff told reporters after the contest that Allen fouled Thompson. Bickerstaff said that it was "clear" that the Cavaliers center committed a foul when he went after the loose ball.
Cade Cunningham Commented on the Controversial No-Call
Pistons players also believe that Allen should've been called for a foul. Star guard Cade Cunningham told the media that he thinks nobody wanted to make the call since it was a close game. However, he sided with his coach and teammates, saying that Thompson was tripped and fouled.
"We all saw the play, I think it's pretty clear there was a foul," Cunningham said. "He has the ball in the possession, he's running forward, he gets tripped up. It's a foul, it's been a foul the whole rest of the game… But close game, nobody wants to make that call, I guess… Nobody wanted to interfere with it, when it should've been a foul."
Cade on Ausar getting tripped by Jarrett:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 14, 2026
"Nobody wants to make that call I guess" https://t.co/IWUt9k0d39pic.twitter.com/YBvgNgsJ16
Aside from Cunningham, Daniss Jenkins also told reporters that Thompson was fouled. However, he let it go and is focused for Game 6 on Friday.
Related: Cade Cunningham Keeps Confidence High After Pistons' Tough Game 5 Loss to Cavaliers
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 2:10 AM.