• The Detroit Pistons lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-107 after a controversial game filled with foul calls.
• Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was visibly upset with the officiating during the game, calling it “disgusting” and disrespectful to his team.
• Cade Cunningham was ejected in the third quarter after receiving two technical fouls, adding fuel to the fire for the Pistons and their coach.

The sellout crowd at Little Caesars Arena was as animated as it has been in years. 

With 47.5 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Cade Cunningham was whistled for two technical fouls and ejected while Oklahoma City Thunder center Jaylin Williams was at the line. Loud jeers and “Refs, you suck” chants echoed through the arena as the Thunder went on to take a 15-point lead, before a 25-10 run allowed the Detroit Pistons to cut it to one.

The Pistons eventually lost, 113-107. 

Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff delivered his angriest press conference of the season afterward, demanding respect for his young team. In addition to Cunningham’s ejection, there were several calls throughout the game that he took issue with. 

“I’m extremely proud of the way they continued to compete,” he said. “I’m disgusted by the way that game was officiated. The level of disrespect was above and beyond. They have a guy fall down and trip on his own teammates foot, they review us for a hostile act. They throw an elbow to our chest/neck area, I ask them to at least take a look at it. Just show us the respect to take a look at it. No one would take a look at it. The disrespect has gone on far enough and I’m not going to allow our guys to be treated the way they were treated tonight.” 

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The Pistons were called for five total technical fouls — Dennis Schröder was whistled for one on the same possession as Cunningham argued with the officials, granting the Thunder a total of five free throws. Bickerstaff and Ausar Thompson were also hit with techs earlier in the game. 

Williams was at the line because of a loose ball foul against Isaiah Stewart, who was reviewed for a “hostile act” on the play due to a mild push. The Pistons were already down 11 before the Thunder knocked down four of the five free throws, shifting the game in their favor. 

“I tried to have a conversation with an official, the official is arguing with Mark (Daigneault), I say his name one time and he screams at me and tells me that’s enough. 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. We’re growing young players, our young players are competing their tails off. The least that they can do is give us the same respect that everybody else in this league gets and get refereed the same that everyone in this league gets treated. And enough is enough of it. 

It was Cunningham’s second career ejection, and it came amid one of his toughest nights of the season. He finished with 11 points, nine assists and seven rebounds on 5-for-18 (27.7%) shooting. 

In his absence, the Pistons got within a point, 101-100, in the final 3:40 thanks to heroics from Schröder, who provided 17 points and 11 assists off the bench. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 48 points, iced the game late with a 3-pointer and two tough midrange buckets.

It was the Pistons’ second straight loss, after falling to the Washington Wizards on Thursday.

“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.”

Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.