New York Knicks Rally to Stun Detroit Pistons, Take 3-1 Lead in Eastern Conference First Round

Detroit, MI. (WE) — The New York Knicks completed a dramatic comeback on Sunday afternoon, rallying from a late deficit to defeat the Detroit Pistons 94-93 at Little Caesars Arena. With the win, the Knicks now hold a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series. However, the victory came with controversy. The NBA referee crew admitted a foul should have been called on Josh Hart for contact with Tim Hardaway Jr. during a game-tying 3-point attempt.

Missed Call Adds to Detroit’s Heartbreak

With less than a second remaining, Hardaway, with the chance to win the game, attempted a corner 3-pointer. As he shot, Josh Hart bumped into Hardaway’s right shoulder, causing the shot to miss. If the officials had called the foul, Hardaway would have gone to the free-throw line for three attempts, potentially winning the game for Detroit.

David Guthrie, the crew chief, spoke to reporters after the game and confirmed the officials missed the call. “During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play,” Guthrie said. “After postgame review, we observed that Hart makes body contact that is more than marginal to Hardaway Jr., and a foul should have been called.”

Hardaway wasted no time voicing his frustration. “You guys saw it,” he said. “Blatant.” Meanwhile, Hart admitted to making contact but questioned its legality. “Did I make contact with him? Yeah, I made contact with him,” Hart said. “Was it legal? I don’t know. We’ll let the two-minute report say that.”

The NBA issues Two-Minute Reports after every game decided by fewer than three points. These reports review all calls made in the final two minutes of the game, aiming for accountability and transparency.

Pistons Coach Calls Out the Officials

After the game, J.B. Bickerstaff, the Detroit Pistons head coach, expressed his frustration. He quickly moved across the court to argue the missed call. “There’s contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot. I don’t know any other way around it,” Bickerstaff said in his postgame press conference. “The guy (Hart) leaves his feet; he’s at Timmy’s mercy. I repeat, there’s contact on his jump shot.”

Bickerstaff’s comments reflected the disbelief of the Pistons fanbase, who had witnessed yet another heartbreaking loss at home.

Knicks Surge to Victory

Despite trailing by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter, the Knicks showed resilience, completing a comeback that stunned Detroit. With just 46.6 seconds left, Karl-Anthony Towns nailed a clutch stepback 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down. His shot gave the Knicks a 94-93 lead.

Jalen Brunson, who has been pivotal in New York’s playoff run, delivered 32 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter. Towns contributed 27 points. His performance, alongside Brunson’s timely scoring, played a crucial role in the Knicks’ late surge.

Detroit’s chance to retake the lead came with Cade Cunningham. However, Cunningham turned the ball over and missed a crucial foul-line jumper in the final seconds. Hardaway also had a final opportunity but missed his 3-pointer at the buzzer, as the crowd loudly expressed their frustration.

Pistons’ Struggles Continue at Home

The loss marks the Pistons’ ninth consecutive home playoff defeat, tying an NBA record set by the Philadelphia 76ers between 1968 and 1971. Detroit’s last home playoff win came in Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons are now 0-4 in the playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.

Despite battling through poor shooting, the Pistons fought hard to stay in the game. They erased a 16-point halftime deficit, largely due to Tobias Harris, who sparked the comeback with two crucial and-1 plays. Malik Beasley also hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the third quarter, pushing Detroit to a 71-64 lead heading into the final period.

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New York’s Fourth-Quarter Resilience

Despite the Pistons’ push, the Knicks found their rhythm in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns carried the load offensively, while New York tightened its defense. The Knicks’ comeback came to life as they executed in the final moments, delivering the clutch shots needed to steal the win.

Final Box Score Highlights

What’s Next for Both Teams?

With the win, the Knicks head into Game 5 on Tuesday with the chance to clinch the series. The game will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York at 7:30 p.m. ET. If the Pistons are to extend the series, they will need to regroup and improve their shooting while tightening up defensively.

Pistons vs. Knicks – Game 5 Preview

Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
TV/Radio: TNT, FSND; WWJ-AM (950)

The Knicks aim to close out the series and move to the second round, but the Pistons have one last chance to battle back. The stakes are high, and the energy at Madison Square Garden will surely reflect the playoff intensity.

Upcoming Games

• Game 5: New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons, Tuesday, April 25, 2025 – Madison Square Garden, New York
• Game 6: TBD, Detroit
• Game 7: TBD, New York

Final Thoughts

Game 5 is set to be a defining moment in this series.

For the New York Knicks, it’s an opportunity to close out the series and prove their resilience on the road. With key players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns stepping up, they’re looking to secure their place in the next round and continue their playoff run.

For the Detroit Pistons, Game 5 is a do-or-die situation. It’s about redemption, pride, and fighting through the heartbreak of yet another close loss. With their backs against the wall, they’ll need to dig deep, capitalize on every opportunity, and make a statement in front of their home crowd.

In a series full of dramatic twists, one thing is clear: Game 5 will be a battle for survival, and the fate of these two teams hangs in the balance.