Knicks Show Resilience in Game 3 Victory Over Pistons

DETROIT, Michigan — The New York Knicks rallied back from a disappointing loss to defeat the Detroit Pistons, 118-116, in Game 3 of their playoff series on April 24, 2025. The win was crucial for the Knicks, who reclaimed home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with an impressive performance, scoring 30 points and contributing nine assists and seven rebounds. He was a key factor in the victory, particularly during late-game pressures. “To Jalen, those are cheers,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said, referring to the boos he received from Pistons fans.

Despite the hostile crowd at Little Caesars Arena, Brunson’s calm demeanor helped the Knicks maintain their composure. His ability to drive to the basket effectively created scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Alongside Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns played a pivotal role by scoring 31 points, bouncing back from a quieter Game 2.

The Knicks demonstrated teamwork and ball movement, a critical motto they stressed after falling short in Game 2. Mikal Bridges, who scored 20 points, emphasized the importance of a collective effort on the court. “You can’t do it by yourself, it takes everybody,” Bridges said. “Just moving the ball, playing as a unit, it’s gonna be good looks.”

Defensively, the Knicks focused on containing Pistons star Cade Cunningham. After scoring 33 points in Game 2, Cunningham was limited to 24 points on 25 shots, largely due to the defensive efforts of Bridges and OG Anunoby. “With a guy like Cade, you’ve got to try to make him work as much as you can,” Thibodeau said.

The Knicks took a strong lead early in the game, dominating key statistical areas including rebounding, where they finished plus-five. The first half saw them establish a 13-point lead, supported by a 23-6 run in the second quarter, culminating in a bank shot by Brunson just before halftime.

While the Pistons made a strong effort in the second half to close the gap, the Knicks fought to maintain their edge. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart remains day-to-day, adding uncertainty to their lineup moving forward. As the game concluded, Brunson’s late free-throw strategy, missing one intentionally, effectively secured the victory for the Knicks.

Next up, the Knicks will travel back to Madison Square Garden for Game 4, aiming to build on their momentum. “We’ve been a good road team all year, so I think we know what goes into winning,” Thibodeau said as his team prepares to face the Pistons again.