DETROIT — Karl-Anthony Towns set the pace early, while Jalen Brunson delivered in the clutch for the New York Knicks, sealing a narrow 118-116 victory over the Detroit Pistons. This win on Thursday night gives the Knicks a 2-1 advantage in their first-round playoff series. Towns showcased his offensive dominance with 11 of his 31 total points coming in the first quarter, while Brunson contributed significantly with 12 of his 30 points in the game’s decisive fourth quarter.
Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau praised his team’s strong start and their ability to make impactful plays in the latter stages of the game. The pivotal Game 4 is set for Sunday in Detroit. Presently, the Pistons are on an eight-game home playoff losing streak, a record they hope to avoid tying. Previously, when Detroit emerged victorious in New York during Game 2, they snapped a league-high 15 playoff game losing streak and briefly reclaimed home-court advantage. However, the Knicks successfully reset this momentum.
Brunson, having recently been named the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, reinforced this title with critical plays late in the game. His consecutive layups put the Knicks ahead by seven, pivotal in their final push. With only 3.5 seconds on the clock, Brunson sank one of two free throws, amidst Detroit’s protests over an uncalled violation, to extend the lead to four. “If you catch the ball, have possession, and put it down, to me, that’s possession in the front court,” remarked Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
In an unusual sequence, a free throw by Brunson with 0.5 seconds on the clock resulted in controversy after the buzzer went off prematurely, leading to confusion. Coach Thibodeau expressed his disappointment over the incident, stating, “It doesn’t seem right to me. It’s unfortunate. That should never happen in a playoff game.” Ultimately, the Pistons were unable to capitalize as Jalen Duren’s pass from the sideline missed the mark entirely, sealing their fate.
As for individual performances, Towns, a formidable 7-foot center, connected on 4-of-8 three-point attempts, showcasing his adaptability and skill. Thibodeau noted Towns’ resilience and praised his versatile performance. On the Detroit side, Cade Cunningham recorded 24 points and 11 assists, though his shooting was hampered by a 10-for-25 outing and six turnovers. Detroit also saw contributions from Tim Hardaway Jr., with 24 points and a personal best of seven 3-pointers in playoff games. Dennis Schroder and Duren added 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Julius Randle also had a strong showing for New York, netting 22 points, complemented by Mikal Bridges, who chipped in with 20. The Knicks enjoyed a solid start, leading 33-27 after an emotionally charged first quarter and extending their advantage to 66-53 by halftime. The Pistons narrowed the gap to one point on two occasions in the third quarter, but New York managed to widen the lead once more, entering the final quarter with a 10-point buffer that they ultimately maintained.