Pistons Hold Off Late Knicks Push to Secure Win

DETROIT (WE) — The Detroit Pistons snapped a recent losing streak with a hard-fought 100-94 win over the New York Knicks on Sunday night at Little Caesars Arena. Gritty defense, timely shot-making, and clutch fourth-quarter execution defined the game. The Pistons controlled key moments down the stretch to hold off the Knicks. It was one of their most complete wins of the season.

The victory marks a rare high point in a tough rebuilding year for Detroit. The team improved to 15-65. The Knicks, already locked into a playoff spot, missed a chance to climb the Eastern Conference standings. They fell to 47-33.

First Half: A Defensive Battle Emerges

From the opening tip, both teams leaned on physical defense and half-court execution. The Pistons came out aggressive, using their size and length to disrupt New York’s ball movement and contest perimeter shots.

First Quarter: Detroit set the tone early, forcing the Knicks into four turnovers in the opening six minutes. Jaden Ivey scored six quick points in transition, helping the Pistons to a 24-19 lead after the first quarter.

Second Quarter: The Knicks opened the second with a 9-2 run, fueled by Josh Hart’s energy and RJ Barrett’s aggressive drives. Detroit’s bench unit answered quickly. Rookie Marcus Sasser and veteran Alec Burks stepped up with timely baskets and smart ball movement. A late floater from Killian Hayes gave the Pistons a 47-44 lead heading into halftime.

Third Quarter Surge Tilts Momentum

Coming out of the break, the Knicks appeared to seize control. Jalen Brunson, quiet in the first half, came alive with eight points in the opening five minutes of the third quarter. His back-to-back floaters gave New York a 55-52 lead, their first since the opening minutes.

But Detroit answered with a critical 13-4 run midway through the quarter. Cade Cunningham found his rhythm, orchestrating the offense with patience and precision. A corner three from Isaiah Livers followed by a steal and fast-break dunk from Jaden Ivey electrified the home crowd and forced a Knicks timeout.

Detroit entered the fourth quarter leading 74-68, having reestablished momentum with better spacing and more disciplined defense.

Pistons Execute Late to Fend Off Knicks

Fourth Quarter: The Knicks kept pushing. They cut the deficit to just two points with under five minutes left, sparked by two three-pointers from Donte DiVincenzo and a crafty finish by Jalen Brunson.

But Detroit didn’t flinch.

Cade Cunningham nailed a step-back jumper from the elbow with 3:21 to go, stretching the lead to 92-88. After a key defensive stop, Marvin Bagley III grabbed an offensive rebound and finished a strong putback, bumping the lead back to six.

In the final minute, with the Pistons up 96-94, Jaden Ivey attacked the rim and drew a foul. He calmly sank both free throws. On the next possession, Detroit’s defense stepped up again. A tightly contested miss by Julius Randle gave the Pistons the ball and a chance to seal the game at the line.

Star Performances Fuel Detroit Victory

Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 24 points, adding 8 assists and 5 rebounds in a composed performance that underscored his status as Detroit’s franchise cornerstone. His poise late in the fourth quarter proved instrumental.

Jaden Ivey chipped in 18 points, including 9 in the final frame, showing a knack for attacking seams in New York’s defense.

Marvin Bagley III posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, providing interior toughness against the Knicks’ bigs.

On the other side, Jalen Brunson finished with 21 points and 6 assists, but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 8-of-20 from the field.

Donte DiVincenzo added 17 points, including three timely triples, while Josh Hart contributed 10 points and 9 rebounds in another all-around effort.

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Turning Points: Detroit’s Third-Quarter Run, Clutch Free Throws

The pivotal stretch came late in the third quarter when Detroit used a 13-4 run to flip the game. Their defensive intensity forced the Knicks into contested mid-range shots and several hurried possessions. Offensively, Detroit got balanced production and capitalized on second-chance opportunities.

Another key sequence unfolded in the final two minutes. With New York threatening, Cunningham and Ivey both delivered under pressure—Cunningham with a contested jumper, and Ivey with key free throws. Meanwhile, Detroit’s perimeter defenders forced New York into low-percentage looks and closed out possessions with strong rebounding.

What This Win Means for Detroit’s Season

While the Pistons remain outside the playoff picture, Sunday’s win represented a step forward for a young core learning how to close games. Head coach Monty Williams praised his team’s focus.

“That’s the most connected we’ve looked in weeks,” Williams said postgame. “We didn’t panic when they made their run. Cade and Jaden were huge down the stretch.”

The Pistons also held the Knicks to just 40.5% shooting and outrebounded them 52-44, a testament to their improved physicality on the glass.

For a team that has struggled in crunch-time scenarios all season, this victory offers a template for future success: disciplined defense, ball movement, and execution in the halfcourt.

Knicks Fall Short Despite Late Push

For the Knicks, the loss snapped a three-game win streak and left head coach Tom Thibodeau frustrated with his team’s execution.

“We had opportunities, but the details weren’t there,” Thibodeau said. “Too many breakdowns, too many missed box-outs. Detroit played harder and deserved to win.”

The Knicks turned the ball over 15 times and went just 6-of-21 from three-point range, struggling to generate rhythm on offense outside of Brunson’s short stretches of brilliance.

Julius Randle, returning from a brief absence, finished with 13 points but looked a step slow and shot just 5-of-15 from the field.

The bench unit, typically a strength, failed to deliver, scoring just 18 points compared to Detroit’s 34. Immanuel Quickley was held to 7 points on 3-of-9 shooting.

Postgame Reactions: Confidence Building for Pistons

Cunningham, speaking after the game, pointed to the team’s growth.

“We’ve had a lot of tough nights this year, so this one feels good,” Cunningham said. “It’s about building good habits. Tonight, we stuck together and trusted each other.”

The home crowd at Little Caesars Arena responded throughout the night with energy, particularly during Detroit’s third-quarter run and the closing minutes. Fans rose to their feet as Ivey’s free throws swished through, cheering loudly as the final buzzer sounded.

What’s Next: Detroit Looks to Build, Knicks Refocus for Playoffs

The Pistons will remain at home for their next matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, aiming to string together back-to-back wins for just the third time this season.

For New York, the loss complicates their seeding hopes in a tightly packed Eastern Conference. They’ll return to Madison Square Garden for a critical matchup against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, where playoff positioning could be on the line.

While the Knicks remain a postseason lock, the defeat raises questions about their consistency heading into the final stretch. Meanwhile, Detroit will take pride in a rare victory that showcased their young core’s potential and a glimpse of what the future might hold.

Final Score:
Detroit Pistons 100, New York Knicks 94

Top Performers:
DET: Cade Cunningham – 24 PTS, 8 AST, 5 REB
DET: Jaden Ivey – 18 PTS, 3 REB, 2 STL
DET: Marvin Bagley III – 14 PTS, 12 REB
NYK: Jalen Brunson – 21 PTS, 6 AST
NYK: Donte DiVincenzo – 17 PTS, 5 REB
NYK: Josh Hart – 10 PTS, 9 REB

Records:
Pistons: 15-65
Knicks: 47-33

Next Games:
Detroit vs. Chicago Bulls – Tuesday, April 23
New York vs. Miami Heat – Wednesday, April 24