Refs explain no-call on Ausar Thompson trip in Pistons' Game 5 loss to Cavs

TL;DR

The Pistons lost to the Cavaliers 117-113 in overtime, with controversy surrounding a no-call on Ausar Thompson's trip by Jarrett Allen in the final seconds of regulation. This decision may have cost the Pistons a chance to win the playoff game.

Key points

Pistons lost to Cavaliers 117-113 in overtime
Controversial no-call on Ausar Thompson's trip
Referees did not call a foul in final seconds
Game was tied at 103-103 before overtime
Potential foul could have led to free throws for Pistons

Detroit PistonsCleveland CavaliersAusar ThompsonJarrett Allen

Refs explain no-call on Ausar Thompson trip in Pistons' Game 5 loss to Cavs

The Detroit Pistons may have been robbed of a chance to win a playoff game.

The 1-seed Pistons fell to the 4-seed Cavaliers 117-113 in overtime of Game 4 at Little Caesars Arena, and the end of the game didn't come without controversy. With the game tied at 103-103 and the Cavs having the ball, Pistons forward Ausar Thompson blocked a shot from Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell and lunged for the ball with under two seconds left. He then appeared to be tripped by Jarrett Allen, potentially drawing a foul and free throws that could have won the Pistons the game.

Instead, the referees swallowed their whistles, and the game headed to overtime after the no-call.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before the Game 5 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Q&A

What happened in the final seconds of the Pistons vs. Cavaliers Game 5?

In the final seconds, Ausar Thompson blocked a shot and was tripped by Jarrett Allen, but the referees did not call a foul.

Why was the no-call on Ausar Thompson controversial?

The no-call was controversial because it occurred at a critical moment when a foul could have led to free throws that might have won the game for the Pistons.

How did the Pistons perform in Game 5 against the Cavaliers?

The Pistons lost to the Cavaliers 117-113 in overtime, marking a tough playoff defeat.

Who are the key players involved in the controversial play?

The key players involved were Ausar Thompson of the Pistons and Jarrett Allen of the Cavaliers.