NEW YORK — Cade Cunningham delivered an impressive performance by scoring 36 points, while Malik Beasley contributed 22 points, including two crucial three-pointers in the final moments, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 124-119 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night. This win marks the Pistons’ second consecutive triumph against the Knicks, breaking a long losing streak of 16 matchups against them.
Cunningham’s stellar play allowed the Pistons to maintain a slim lead for much of the second half. The Knicks attempted to disrupt his scoring by forcing the ball out of his hands during two late possessions. However, Detroit managed to find Beasley open both times; he hit the first shot to extend their lead to 121-117 and sank another to seal a five-point advantage with just 6.3 seconds remaining on the clock.
Beasley had an impressive night, going 6 for 8 beyond the three-point line, contributing to the Pistons’ strong record of 10 wins in their last 12 outings, bringing their season tally to 21-19.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson led the team with 31 points and 11 assists, showing no signs of discomfort from a recent shoulder injury sustained during a previous game where he scored 44 points against Milwaukee. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns provided solid support, adding 27 and 26 points, respectively, with Towns grabbing 12 rebounds, despite experiencing pain in his right thumb following an earlier hit during the game.
In light of Cunningham’s performance, the Pistons sent out documentation promoting his candidacy for the upcoming All-Star Game. Given his current form and the team’s success, many believe his selection is well-deserved.
Despite shooting 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, the Knicks struggled to contain Cunningham, as neither Bridges nor OG Anunoby could effectively guard him throughout the game.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred when Cunningham started the second half on a high note after facing foul trouble earlier. He scored the first 11 points for Detroit and netted 18 points in the third quarter, allowing the Pistons to outscore the Knicks 36-27 in that period.
Notably, Beasley has demonstrated remarkable efficiency in their recent games in New York, shooting 13 for 18 from three-point range over two victories this season.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will travel to Philadelphia for their next game on Wednesday, while the Pistons will play host to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
