Refs explain no-call on Ausar Thompson trip in Pistons' Game 5 loss to Cavs
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson was tripped at the end of regulation in Game 5, but no foul was called. Here's the pool report from referees.
The Detroit Pistons may have been robbed of a chance to win a playoff game. The 1-seed Pistons fell to the 4-seed Cleveland Cavaliers 117-113 in overtime of Game 5 on Wednesday, May 13, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, and the end of the game didn't come without controversy. With the game tied at 103 and the Cavs holding for the final shot of regulation, Pistons forward Ausar Thompson blocked a shot from Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell and lunged for the ball with about two seconds left.
He then appeared to be tripped by Cavs center Jarrett Allen, potentially drawing a foul and two free throws that could have put the Pistons ahead. (Thompson earlier in the fourth quarter made two free throws. ) Instead, the referees swallowed their whistles , and the game headed to overtime after the no-call.
Should this have been called a foul on the Cavs? pic. twitter.
com/2rIJadnyNl ā Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) May 14, 2026 Crew chief referee Tony Brothers gave an explanation after the game for why no call was made. "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," he said in the pool report . "The play will be reviewed by the league office tomorrow and it will be posted in the L2M [last two minutes report].