The Detroit Pistons’ frustration was palpable on Saturday night as they fell 113-107 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a game marred by heated disputes over officiating. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, reigning Eastern Conference Coach of the Month, delivered scathing remarks in his postgame media session, expressing his dissatisfaction with how the game was managed by the referees.

“I’m disgusted by the way that game was officiated. The level of disrespect was above and beyond,” Bickerstaff said passionately. He detailed several incidents that left his team feeling aggrieved, including one instance where a Thunder player tripped over a teammate, leading to a review for a hostile act against Detroit.

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Additionally, Bickerstaff noted that a clear elbow to a Pistons player’s chest and neck area was ignored, despite his repeated pleas for a review. “The disrespect has gone far enough, and I’m not going to allow our guys to be treated how they were treated tonight,” he added.

Second half issues and they were not pleased

The third quarter proved particularly contentious, as the Pistons were hit with five technical fouls in a span of minutes. Forward Ausar Thompson received the first for disputing a no-call, followed by Bickerstaff himself after challenging an offensive foul on rookie Ron Holland. Things escalated further when both Cade Cunningham and Dennis Schroder were assessed technical fouls, with Cunningham eventually ejected after continuing to voice his frustration.

While the Pistons fought valiantly, led by contributions from Tobias Harris and Dennis Schroder, the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stole the spotlight with a 48-point performance. The Pistons’ physical style of play, a hallmark of Bickerstaff’s coaching philosophy, appeared to clash with the officiating crew’s decisions, compounding the team’s frustration.

“We understand that we play a style of ball that’s physical and on the edge,” Bickerstaff said. “But we deserve a level of respect because we’re competing our tails off and bringing something positive to this league.”

The loss marks Detroit’s second consecutive defeat and raises questions about how the team will adjust moving forward. Despite the controversy, the Pistons remain committed to their hard-nosed identity as they prepare for their upcoming games. For Bickerstaff and his squad, respect from officials may be just as important as on-court adjustments as they look to bounce back.