The Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 5 with a 117-113 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday, but not without some refereeing drama in regulation.
A frenetic fourth quarter saw the Cavaliers force overtime and seize a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Afterward, the late-game officiating drew heavy criticism across the NBA world.
NBA World Reacts to Controversial Officiating in Cavaliers-Pistons Game 5
The Pistons were left baffled after a questionable no-call to end regulation. Wing Ausar Thompson appeared to be tripped by Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen while going for a loose ball. Cleveland was over the foul limit, and Thompson would have stepped to the free-throw line with the game tied 103-103 with a second left.
Donovan Mitchell with the game on the line 😱
Cavs-Pistons is headed to OT on ESPN and the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/zjdqKApS1h
— ESPN (@espn) May 14, 2026
The Cavaliers scored the final 9 points of the fourth quarter. However, the Pistons still had a chance to get ahead, if not for the no-call. NBA analysts and big names took to X following the game to share their two cents on the divisive decision.
“HOW DO YOU NOT CALL THAT OBVIOUS FOUL ON [JARRETT] ALLEN? Complete choke job by ref who didn’t have the guts to make a game-deciding call, with time left,” veteran NBA analyst Skip Bayless fumed.
HOW DO YOU NOT CALL THAT OBVIOUS FOUL ON JARED ALLEN? Complete choke job by ref who didn’t have the guts to make a game-deciding call, with time left.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 14, 2026
Analyst Raheem Palmer added, “Imagine watching Donovan Mitchell have the game he’s having and giving him the final shot. Also, that’s a blatant foul there, and the ref just swallowed his whistle lol.”
Imagine watching Donovan Mitchell have the game he’s having and giving him the final shot.
Also that’s a blatant foul there and the ref just swallowed his whistle lol.
— Raheem Palmer (@iamrahstradamus) May 14, 2026
NFL legend Shannon Sharpe offered a crisp take, writing, “That should’ve been a tripping foul on Allen.”
That’s should’ve been a tripping foul on Allen.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 14, 2026
“Ausar Thompson should’ve had a chance to win it at the line. Potentially season-altering no-call,” CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn weighed in.
Ausar Thompson should’ve had a chance to win it at the line. Potentially season-altering no-call.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) May 14, 2026
The Athletic’s Esfandiar Baraheni also believed the Pistons had every right to be upset with the no-call.
“I think Pistons fans should rightfully be mad at the missed foul call to end the game. But Detroit had a 9-point lead and blew it because they couldn’t score the ball and no one had anything to counter the Cavs trapping Cade [Cunningham]. [Jalen] Duren should’ve been the solution. He couldn’t!” Baraheni asserted.
I think Pistons fans should rightfully be mad at the missed foul call to end the game.
But Detroit had a 9-point lead and blew it because they couldn’t score the ball and no one had anything to counter the Cavs trapping Cade.
Duren should’ve been the solution. He couldn’t!
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 14, 2026
The Cavaliers have won three games straight in the series after the Pistons drew first blood with a hot 2-0 start. James Harden led the way with 30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks in Game 5. Mitchell added 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for Cleveland, while Allen recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Cunningham led the Pistons with a game-high 39 points, coupled with 7 rebounds and 9 assists, with Daniss Jenkins and Tobias Harris adding 19 and 13 points, respectively.
The series next shifts to Rocket Arena, where the Pistons will hope to force a Game 7 when both teams meet on Friday.
