The Detroit Pistons are not done yet. Cade Cunningham posted 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a gutsy all-around performance as the Pistons edged the New York Knicks 106-103 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, staying alive in their first playoff appearance since 2019. The win forces a Game 6 in Detroit on Thursday night, with the Knicks leading the series 3-2.
Detroit, which finished the regular season 44-38 after one of the biggest turnarounds in league history, showed no signs of panic despite facing elimination. The Pistons approached the day with quiet confidence, brushing off any talk of pressure during their morning shootaround, and delivered when it mattered most.
Ausar Thompson added 22 points and Tobias Harris chipped in 17 for the Pistons, who rallied late in a tense fourth quarter. With the game tied at 95, Jalen Duren powered inside for two straight baskets, and Cunningham followed with a clutch jumper to cap a pivot along With 6-0 run. That surge gave Detroit a lead it would not relinquish.
The Knicks’ hopes of reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third straight season took a hit — both literally and figuratively. Jalen Brunson had his worst outing of the postseason, finishing with just 16 points on 4-of-16 shooting. OG Anunoby led New York with 19, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each added 17.
Late-game misfortune compounded the Knicks’ struggles. With 2:57 remaining, Brunson and Josh Hart both went down with injuries. Play continued for nearly two minutes before a stoppage allowed them to return, but by then only 27 seconds remained — too little time to swing the outcome.
Despite an NBA record-tying nine straight home playoff losses dating back to 2008, the Pistons remain confident heading into Game 6. Their success at Madison Square Garden — 2-0 in the regular season and now 2-1 in this series — has them believing they can force a decisive Game 7 back in New York on Saturday.
Most importantly, Tuesday night’s win snapped the notion that Detroit was merely a feel-good story. The young Pistons are proving they belong — and they’re not going home quietly.
