Karl-Anthony Towns drilled a go-ahead three-pointer with 46.6 seconds remaining and finished with 27 points, while Jalen Brunson delivered 32 points and 11 assists as the New York Knicks edged the Detroit Pistons 94-93 on Sunday to seize a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham recorded his first career playoff triple-double with 25 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, but faltered late—missing two shots and committing a crucial turnover in the final minute.
In a tense finish, Tim Hardaway Jr. launched a potential game-winning three at the buzzer, appearing to draw slight contact from New York’s Josh Hart, but no foul was called after a physically intense contest with minimal whistles.
Game 5 shifts back to New York on Tuesday night, where the Knicks will have a chance to close out the series.
The Pistons, meanwhile, continue a brutal postseason skid, losing their ninth consecutive home playoff game—a streak tied for the longest in NBA history alongside Philadelphia’s from 1968 to 1971.
The Knicks came out aggressive, bracing for Detroit’s best effort but delivering an early blow. Towns made his presence felt with a quick basket and a block, OG Anunoby added a rejection, and New York stormed out to a 14-2 run to grab a 10-point lead midway through the first quarter.
Behind a stifling defense that forced six early turnovers and converted them into 10 points, the Knicks built a 29-19 advantage after one period.
New York stretched its lead to as many as 16 points in the second quarter before Detroit clawed back with an 11-0 run, trimming the deficit to seven at halftime.
Cunningham dominated the third quarter, scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting, dishing out five assists, grabbing five rebounds, and swatting three shots as the Pistons outscored the Knicks 28-14 to take a seven-point lead heading into the fourth.
The Knicks had a brief scare late in the third when Brunson limped off with a right knee issue, but he returned in the fourth to lead New York through a tightly contested final frame.
Detroit was once again without center Isaiah Stewart, who missed his third straight game due to a knee injury. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff indicated it would be “really difficult” for Stewart to return during the series.
