NEW YORK โ The Detroit Pistons were tantalizingly close to snapping their record-setting postseason losing streak on Saturday night, showcasing impressive composure through three quarters. However, their hopes unraveled with a series of blunders in the final quarter.
Despite a strong start, the Pistons succumbed to a formidable 21-0 run by the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter, ending in a 123-112 defeat. Detroit, previously absent from the playoffs since 2019, had built a promising 98-90 lead early in the fourth. Unfortunately, a string of mistakes allowed their opponents to seize control.
โWe gave away easy opportunities,โ forward Tobias Harris reflected on their difficulties. The woes began with errors before the Pistons even attempted a shot in the fourth. They committed a 5-second violation on an inbounds pass, quickly followed by a 24-second shot clock error on their next possession. Overall, they turned the ball over eight times in the period, directly gifting 11 points to the Knicks. Detroitโs shooting faltered as well, as the team registered a mere 31.8% shooting with 7 for 22, while being thoroughly outscored 40-21.
Cade Cunningham delivered notable stats with 21 points and 12 assists but struggled with efficiency, shooting only 8 for 21 and committing six turnovers. Cunningham, the top pick of the 2021 draft, is credited with leading the Pistons to their first playoff berth as a sixth seed, following a massive 30-game improvement to finish 44-38.
โThis was a learning experience, new for me,โ the young star stated. โI approached it like I would any game. In the end, itโs still basketball โ something Iโve been doing all my life. The environment didnโt change how I played. Unfortunately, this one slipped away.โ
The visitors had looked poised to make an impactful return to postseason basketball, evoking memories of their resilience throughout the year. Detroit had experienced a setback against Indiana on the seasonโs opening night, falling short after holding a substantial lead, but had since avoided such collapses. Nevertheless, their postseason losing streak, now at 15 games, continues unabated since their last playoff win in the 2008 Eastern Conference finals.
โItโs a series,โ Harris reiterated, urging calm, โYou canโt get too high or too low.โ