Knicks Defeat Pistons 111-97 to End Season Opening Skid
New York built a 27-point lead in the second half after falling behind, snapping a 0-3 start that marked the first time in NBA history a defending champion began with three straight losses.
By Nia Foster ·
The New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 111-97 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, securing their first victory of the season and ending a three-game losing streak.
New York entered the contest with a 0-3 record, a start that made them one of only five teams in NBA history to begin a title defense with three consecutive losses. The team ranked last in the league in points per game, 29th in field goal percentage, and last in pace before this matchup against Detroit, which had maintained a perfect record up to that point.
The Knicks overcame an early double-digit deficit by establishing a dominant defensive presence and increasing their offensive output in the second half. Detroit was limited to three successful field goals on 21 attempts during the second quarter. In the third quarter, New York outscored the Pistons 37-13, extending their lead to 27 points and controlling the remainder of the game.
Mikal Bridges provided a key offensive spark, making four of his attempts from beyond the three-point line. He had scored just 10 points and missed all 10 of his three-point shots in the team's previous three games. Josh Hart capped the third quarter with a three-pointer after a rebound by OG Anunoby, prompting a celebration that mirrored the team's recent championship run.
Head coach Mike Brown acknowledged that the Pistons had dominated the Knicks in the previous season. He noted that his team is still adjusting to the rotation and bench chemistry, comparing the current uncertainty to the early stages of his previous tenure. Brown stated that the team is testing different lineups to determine the best long-term configuration, even if those experiments do not always yield immediate results.
Jalen Brunson, who has not yet served as the primary closer in this season's losses, emphasized the need to focus on controllable factors. He noted that the team is using the early adversity to determine their identity, contrasting the current pressure with the praise they received for their previous postseason performance.
The game featured physical play, including a confrontation between Karl-Anthony Towns and Paul Reed that required coaches and officials to separate the players. Ausar Thompson was ejected with 2:49 remaining after receiving his sixth foul while defending Brunson.
Source: Newsday
