NEW YORK — For years, defeating the Detroit Pistons had been almost automatic for the New York Knicks, who held a 16-game winning streak against them over five years. However, the 2024-25 season saw a remarkable turnaround for the Pistons, breaking that streak with three victories against the Knicks. Now, Detroit sets its sights on ending another daunting stretch of losses: the NBA’s longest postseason losing skid.
Marking their triumphant return to the playoffs since 2019, the Pistons enter as the No. 6 seed determined to snap a 14-game playoff losing streak as they face the third-seeded Knicks at Madison Square Garden in the opening match of their first-round series on Saturday.
The Knicks, who once basked in their dominance over the Pistons, are fully aware that this is not the same team that endured a dismal 14-68 season, highlighted by a record-breaking 28-game losing streak. Detroit’s resurgence included decisive victories over New York, altering the competitive dynamic significantly.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “They’ve had a fantastic season. We just played them recently, so I think we have a feel for what their strengths are, but we have to dig a lot deeper into them to know them really well.” He emphasized the necessity of maintaining high-level basketball throughout the entire game to secure victory.
Detroit’s lineup is bolstered by standout talent, such as All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham and sharpshooter Malik Beasley. The addition of experienced players, including Beasley, Tobias Harris, and former Knicks player Tim Hardaway Jr., under the new guidance of coach J.B. Bickerstaff, proved transformative. These strategic choices propelled the Pistons to a 44-38 season, showing marked progress from the previous year.
Bickerstaff remarked on the unique experience of playoffs, noting, “It’s a completely different basketball game. Until you’re in it, it’s hard to understand it.” Acknowledging the developmental phase his team is in, he compared it to learning from personal experience, regardless of preparation.
Knicks guard Mikal Bridges expressed respect for the changes in Detroit, lauding their efforts to blend youth with seasoned players to create a competitive edge. He noted the effective balance they’ve struck in fostering a winning mindset.
Detroit’s adverse playoff record dates back to their last victory in Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against Boston. Since then, they have endured series sweeps by formidable opponents in 2009, 2016, and 2019, leading to their 14-game playoff losing streak, outstripping the previous record of 13 consecutive postseason losses held by the Knicks.
Historically, the Knicks’ encounters with the Pistons in the playoffs have been sparse, with the latter having never succumbed to New York in a seven-game series. Their contests in 1984 and 1992, under the now-obsolete best-of-five format, marked their only postseason victories over Detroit. The Pistons claimed victory in the 1990 East Semifinals with a 4-1 series win, illustrating the rarity of their playoff face-offs.
Looking to continue his remarkable form from the 2024 postseason, Jalen Brunson aims to match his prior performance of averaging 32.4 points per game and hopes to replicate the achievements of historical greats like Michael Jordan, with whom he shares the feat of four consecutive 40-point postseason games.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s Malik Beasley, who narrowly trailed Anthony Edwards for the most three-pointers this season, demonstrated lethal accuracy in previous games at Madison Square Garden, going 13 for 18 beyond the arc to aid in their victories.