Pistons Claim First Playoff Win in 17 Years Against Knicks

NEW YORK — The Detroit Pistons celebrated their first postseason victory in 17 years on Monday night, defeating the New York Knicks 100-94 to even the NBA first-round series at one game apiece.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 33 points and 12 rebounds, including a tiebreaking three-pointer with 55 seconds remaining. “It’s a great feeling. It feels good to represent the city like we did tonight,” Cunningham said. “It’s something that the city has been waiting on for a long time, so we feel good about it and we’re ready to get back to the crib and perform in front of them.”

This win marks the end of Detroit’s NBA-record 15-game postseason losing streak, a run that dated back to a playoff victory against the Boston Celtics in 2008.

After a tough loss in Game 1, where the Pistons squandered an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter, they regrouped to maintain composure in Game 2. Following a 16-4 run by the Knicks, capped by a dunk from Josh Hart that tied the game at 94, Detroit responded with clutch plays down the stretch.

“We got bigger things we’re out here for,” said Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “So our focus, and that’s why our guys have been able to grow and be consistent, because they just think about the now and I thought they did a great job tonight of staying in the moment and doing what we needed to do.”

Detroit’s impressive turnaround this season has been notable, finishing with a record of 44-38 after a dismal 14-win season in 2023-24, which included a franchise-record 28-game losing streak. The Pistons now head home for Game 3 on Thursday night.

Schroder, who joined the Pistons in February, added vital contributions off the bench with 20 points, including the decisive three-pointer that put the Pistons ahead. The Pistons dominated the free-throw line, shooting 14 attempts to the Knicks’ two, allowing them to hold a 55-49 lead at halftime.

In defeat, Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 37 points, while they struggled to adjust to Cunningham’s aggressive play, limiting his effectiveness in Game 1 where he scored only 18 points on 21 shots. “And now it’s on us to respond,” Brunson remarked while reflecting on their game plan for the upcoming match.

The win shifts momentum back to Detroit as the team looks to capitalize at home. The series is set to resume with Game 3 at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday.