Pistons' J.B. Bickerstaff blasts refs for 'disgusting display of disrespect' after loss to Thunder
The Detroit Pistons are vastly improved over last season's team, which compiled one of the 10 worst seasons in NBA history at 14-68.
However, the Pistons aren't quite good enough to defeat the NBA's best teams consistently, as demonstrated by their 113-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
Following the game, Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff was fuming. In his view, the Pistons didn't just have to contend with the second-best team in the NBA on Saturday. They also had to battle the officials.
"What you saw tonight was disgusting," Bickerstaff said. "It was a disgusting display of disrespect towards our guys and what we’re trying to do."
[Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back: Enter for a shot to win up to $50K]
JB Bickerstaff did not hold back at all….here are his thoughts on the officiating from tonight’s game…watch the whole thing #Pistonspic.twitter.com/kFw75E1oxQ
— Eric Vincent (@IAmEricVincent) March 16, 2025
Bickerstaff's voice shook as he ranted about the officiating, pounding the table before leaving his postgame press conference.
"I tried to have a conversation with an official, the official is arguing with [Thunder coach] Mark [Daigneault], I say his name one time and he screams at me and tells me that’s enough," Bickerstaff said.
"We understand that we play a style of ball that’s physical, it’s on the edge. I coach my ass off in a passionate way, I’m into the game, our players are into the game. We understand that. But we deserve a level of respect because we’re competing our tails off and bringing something positive to this league."
Beginning at the seven-minute mark of the third quarter, Detroit was whistled for five technical fouls. Ausar Thompson and Bickerstaff first picked up technicals. Then with 47 seconds remaining in the frame, Cade Cunningham was called for two technicals for arguing with the officials and was ejected from the game. (Dennis Schröder also picked up a tech, sandwiched between Cunningham's.)
Pistons fans chanting "Ref you suck", after Cade Cunningham gets ejected
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) March 16, 2025
Thanks to the Redditor u/sewsgup for the video:https://t.co/AwzUBysVlcpic.twitter.com/3zIJemtCE7
After the flurry of technicals and Cunningham's ejection, the Thunder expanded their lead to 91-75 by the end of the third. Despite their All-Star's absence, the Pistons twice cut the margin to one point on 3-pointers by Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr.
But with under three minutes remaining, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made two consecutive baskets to restore the Thunder's lead to 106-100. Cason Wallace then effectively put the win away, hitting a 3 with 1:33 remaining.
Thunder using Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a screener to counter the Pistons switching. Way to get him a matchup. Defense is there but Shai goes to work. pic.twitter.com/LcNNWrpcNS
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 16, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 48 points, his 12th game reaching 40 or more this season and nearly his fifth 50-point performance. He shot 4-of-6 on 3-pointers and 10-for-10 on free throws to lead the Thunder to their 55th win of the 2024-25 campaign and boost his case for NBA MVP.
Cunningham scored 11 points with seven rebounds and nine assists before leaving the game. Tobias Harris led Detroit with 18 points and seven boards, followed by 17 from Dennis Schröder.
Asked by the pool reporter about ejecting Cunningham, crew chief Brian Forte said the technicals resulted from how he spoke to officials.
"Cunningham was given his first technical foul for disrespectfully addressing an official with profanity," Forte said, via the AP. "After the free throw for the first technical was shot, Cade continued to use profanity toward the official and received his second technical foul and was ejected."
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said in his postgame remarks that the "crew was the loosest whistle coming into the game that we've seen all season in terms of how little they call."
Despite the loss, the Pistons hold the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference standings at 37-31 and could move up to fifth or even fourth place.
-
Bickerstaff 'disgusted' by techs in Pistons' loss
Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff blasted the officials after the Pistons were called for five technical fouls in the third quarter of a 113-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday, telling ...ESPN - 19h -
Bickerstaff blasts officials after Pistons receive 5 technical fouls in loss to Thunder
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff blasted the officials after Detroit was called for five technical fouls in the third quarter of a 113-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. During ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff rips NBA refs: 'Disrespect has gone on far enough'
Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff ripped the refs after Saturday's game saw Cade Cunningham ejected for lining up in the key.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 48 points and Thunder hold off Pistons 113-107
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons 113-107ABC News - 1d -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Nuggets, fellow MVP candidate Nikola Jokić with 40-point game
Nikola Jokić came up one assist short of a triple-double in the Nuggets loss.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9 -
Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thinks OKC Thunder guard Cason Wallace can be NBA All-Star
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave Cason Wallace a particularly high grade Saturday after the Thunder's 113-107 win against the Pistons.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Kevin Durant for quickest to 10K points on Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Kevin Durant for quickest to 10K points on Oklahoma City Thunder.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trolls Celtics with Converse logo after Thunder's win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trolls Boston Celtics with Converse logo after the Oklahoma City Thunder's win.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 as Thunder beat Bucks 121-105 for 10th win in last 11 games
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points and eight assists as the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 121-105 on Sunday night. Isaiah Hartenstein added a ...Yahoo Sports - 8h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 13m -
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 13m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 14m
More in Sports
-
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 13m -
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 13m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 14m