New York Knicks Survive Late Push, Eliminate Detroit Pistons in Game 6 Thriller
DETROIT, MI (WE) – The New York Knicks are officially headed to the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, following a dramatic 116-113 win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night. The win sealed a 4-2 series victory for the Knicks and set up a blockbuster second-round clash with the Boston Celtics.
With the Knicks up 3-2 in the series, Detroit entered Game 6 determined not to let their season end at home. They nearly pulled it off. But in the end, it was the calm, collected brilliance of Jalen Brunson that made the difference.
The NBA Clutch Player of the Year delivered once again, drilling a decisive pull-up three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left on the clock to give New York a 116-113 lead. The Pistons had one last chance, but Cade Cunningham passed the ball to Malik Beasley, who lost his handle, resulting in a costly turnover that ended Detroit’s season.
Brunson was spectacular. He dropped 40 points on 15-of-33 shooting while also contributing 7 assists in 42 minutes. It was a masterful bounce-back performance after a tough Game 5 loss at Madison Square Garden, and it re-established him as one of the most unshakeable closers in the league.
“We just stayed together,” Brunson said after the game. “They made a great run, and we knew it wouldn’t be easy. Detroit’s a tough team. But we trust each other, and that trust showed tonight.”
Bridges, Towns Help Deliver the Win
While Brunson was the headliner, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns both played pivotal roles throughout the contest. Bridges scored 25 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting, including a clutch tip-in with 35.6 seconds left that tied the game and gave the Knicks a shot to win.
Towns, who has been a key acquisition for New York after arriving in a high-profile offseason trade, contributed 10 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out with 49.8 seconds left in regulation. Though he was unable to finish the game, his early presence in the paint helped the Knicks control the boards through much of the night.
This playoff series marked the first for both Bridges and Towns in a Knicks uniform, and both have seamlessly fit into a squad with championship aspirations. Towns averaged 24.4 points during the regular season on 42% shooting from three, anchoring a Knicks offense that ranked fifth in the NBA.
Pistons Refuse to Fold
Detroit may have lost the series, but they gained respect.
Under the leadership of J.B. Bickerstaff, who is garnering legitimate Coach of the Year consideration, the Pistons posted a stunning 44-win campaign after managing just 14 victories in 2023-24. Their return to the postseason for the first time since 2019 was a massive step forward for a franchise rebuilding with purpose.
Cade Cunningham’s All-Star season continued into the playoffs. The 22-year-old finished Game 6 with 23 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds in 44 minutes. His development into one of the NBA’s premier young guards has energized Detroit and given the team a legitimate franchise cornerstone.
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Detroit also saw strong performances from Jalen Duren, who posted 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting and hit 9-of-10 free throws, and rookie Ausar Thompson, who added 17 points while locking down defensively in key moments. Veteran Tobias Harris contributed 14 points, and Beasley had 20 off the bench.
Despite trailing by as many as 14 points at various points in the game, Detroit used a furious fourth-quarter rally to outscore the Knicks 28-15 and tie the game at 103 with 6:06 remaining. A dagger three-pointer by Tim Hardaway Jr. capped a 14-2 run and electrified the home crowd. But ultimately, it wasn’t enough.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
- 1st Quarter: Knicks 37, Pistons 23
- 2nd Quarter: Pistons 38, Knicks 22
- 3rd Quarter: Knicks 37, Pistons 24
- 4th Quarter: Pistons 28, Knicks 20
The game saw wild momentum swings, a hallmark of the entire series. Brunson and Bridges combined for 21 points in the third quarter to give New York an 11-point cushion heading into the fourth. But the Pistons responded with grit and athleticism, nearly pulling off the comeback of the series.
Game 6 Box Score Highlights
New York Knicks
- Jalen Brunson: 40 pts, 7 ast, 4 reb
- Mikal Bridges: 25 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast
- OG Anunoby: 22 pts, 5 reb, 3 stl
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 10 pts, 15 reb (Fouled Out)
- Josh Hart: 13 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast
Detroit Pistons
- Cade Cunningham: 23 pts, 8 ast, 7 reb
- Jalen Duren: 21 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast
- Malik Beasley: 20 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast
- Ausar Thompson: 17 pts, 6 reb, 2 blk
- Tobias Harris: 14 pts, 5 reb
Looking Ahead
With the series win, New York advances to face the Boston Celtics in what promises to be a high-intensity, Eastern Conference Semifinals showdown. The Celtics swept their first-round matchup and will enter the series well-rested. The Knicks, on the other hand, have gone through a bruising six-game series that tested their depth and resolve.
The Knicks will hope to continue their postseason push behind their star trio of Brunson, Bridges, and Towns, supported by defensive stalwarts like OG Anunoby and the ever-reliable Josh Hart.
For the Pistons, the offseason begins with optimism. Cunningham’s emergence, Duren’s consistency, and the leadership of Bickerstaff offer a strong foundation. With another offseason to develop and potential moves in free agency or the draft, Detroit is well-positioned to build on this year’s surprise success.
Knicks vs. Pistons Series Recap
- Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
- Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94
- Game 3: Knicks 118, Pistons 116
- Game 4: Knicks 94, Pistons 93
- Game 5: Pistons 106, Knicks 103
- Game 6: Knicks 116, Pistons 113
Series Result: Knicks win 4-2
Betting Insights
According to FanDuel, the Knicks entered Game 6 as +2 underdogs, with the over/under set at 213. Bettors who took the over narrowly won, and New York’s moneyline upset rewarded those who bet on the closeout performance.
The Knicks were listed as -490 favorites to win the series, while the Pistons were +380 underdogs—a number that reflected the grit and fight they ultimately brought to the table.
Final Thoughts
Game 6 was a microcosm of this series: back-and-forth, high-energy, and filled with late-game drama. For the Knicks, it was a test of championship mettle. For the Pistons, it was the beginning of something promising.
Jalen Brunson’s heroic performance under pressure reminded the league why he’s become one of the premier guards in the NBA. For Detroit, a hard-fought playoff run ends with pride—and a sense that the future is finally taking shape.
Next Up: Knicks vs. Celtics – Round 2 begins Sunday at TD Garden.
