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NBA Referee Explains Cade Cunningham’s Ejection in Pistons-Thunder

Why exactly was Cade Cunningham ejected against the Thunder?
Justin Grasso|
Mar 13, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsOklahoma City Thunder

Cade Cunningham’s early exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night created a controversial scenario as Detroit Pistons fans were frustrated with the referees’ decision to issue the All-Star two technical fouls.

As Cunningham went back and forth with a referee, what was said seemed to be enough to lead to an ejection. After the game, the NBA Crew Chief Brian Forte cleared up his side of the story in the pool report with Detroit News’ Coty Davis.

“Cunningham was given his first technical foul for disrespectfully addressing an official with profanity,” Forte said. “After the free throw for the first technical was shot, Cade continued to use profanity towards the official and received his second technical foul and was ejected.”

Around the same time as Cunningham, Pistons veteran Dennis Schroder earned a technical foul as well. Forte addressed that scenario.

“Schroder was given a technical foul for continuous complaining after Detroit was given a team warning in the second period,” he explained.

While personal foul totals weren’t lopsided, as Detroit was whistled for one more than OKC, the Pistons were hit with five total technical fouls on the night. On the other end, the Thunder had zero.

It was a frustrating outing for the Pistons, which led Detroit’s head coach, JB Bickerstaff, to sound off on the officiating after the 113-107 loss. While the Pistons put together a solid effort against the Western Conference’s No. 1 team after Cunningham missed the entire fourth quarter, they dropped their second game in a row to move to 37-31 on the year.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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