Basketball

Knicks Edge Pistons in Thrilling Playoff Win in Detroit

The New York Knicks grabbed a narrow 118-116 win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

The game, played at Little Caesars Arena, saw the Knicks’ new signings shine. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 31 points, Mikal Bridges added 20 points along with seven rebounds, two blocks, and three assists and steals each, while Jalen Brunson continued his strong form with 30 points – 12 of which came in the final quarter.

OG Anunoby also made a big impact with 22 points, making it the first time since 1972 that four Knicks players scored at least 20 points each in a playoff game. Josh Hart contributed with 11 rebounds and nine assists, just shy of a double-double.

For Detroit, Cade Cunningham and former Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. both scored 24 points. Hardaway made all five of his three-point attempts early on but slowed down later, finishing with 7-of-12 from the field.

Towns wasted no time getting involved after being shut down in the fourth quarter of Game 2. He hit three three-pointers in the first eight minutes, with Anunoby, Bridges, and Brunson each adding one from distance as the Knicks took an early lead.

Despite some on-court tension – including a scuffle that saw Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Paul Reed all receive technical fouls – the Knicks stayed focused. A strong 21-6 run to end the second quarter gave them a 13-point lead at half-time.

With Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart missing his second game due to a knee injury, the Knicks dominated the paint early, holding the Pistons to just eight points in the key area in the first half. Tobias Harris, who had spoken about how different this Knicks side felt compared to last year, was held scoreless in the opening half and had four fouls before finally getting on the board.

The Pistons came out strong after the break, cutting into New York’s lead several times in the second half. But the Knicks responded each time, with Brunson stepping up late to keep them ahead.

The closing moments were dramatic. With just over five seconds left and the Knicks up by three, there was confusion over a possible backcourt violation by Brunson, but officials ruled it was legal due to his momentum. Brunson made one free throw before Harris hit a three-pointer with just over a second left to keep Detroit alive.

Brunson returned to the line, hit his first, then missed the second on purpose to run down the clock. A timekeeping error gave Detroit one last chance, effectively acting as a free timeout. However, a final turnover by the Pistons sealed the win for New York, who now regain home-court advantage in the series.

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