Knicks Beat Pistons 111-97 to End Three Game Skid
The defending champions dominated the second half, outscoring Detroit 64-32 to secure their first victory of the season.
By David Almasi ·
The New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 111-97 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. The win erased a 0-3 start to the season and marked the team's first victory in 2026. Detroit had entered the game with a perfect record and had defeated New York four times during the previous championship campaign.
The Knicks arrived at the game with poor statistical metrics. The team ranked last in the NBA in points per game and pace. They also held the 29th position in field goal percentage. Only five teams in league history had started a title defense with three consecutive losses. The Knicks sought to avoid joining that group.
New York trailed by double digits early in the contest. The Pistons played a physical game that required officials to separate Karl-Anthony Towns and Paul Reed. The Knicks responded with a defensive adjustment in the second quarter. They limited Detroit to just three made shots on 21 attempts during that period.
The offense accelerated in the third quarter. New York outscored Detroit 37-13 in that frame. Mikal Bridges provided a spark from beyond the arc. He made four three-point shots after missing all ten attempts in the previous three games. Josh Hart hit a three-pointer to end the third quarter on a rebound created by OG Anunoby. The Knicks led by 27 points entering the final period.
Head coach Mike Brown stated the team must focus on the next opponent. He noted that Detroit had beaten them last year but did not view that record as a definitive measure of current ability. Brown compared the situation to a previous season where his team lost a series to an opponent they later defeated in the playoffs. He emphasized that the team must concentrate on the details that impact winning.
Jalen Brunson said the group needs to find whatever it takes to win. He urged the team to control what they can control and stick together. Brunson noted that the team has been receiving praise for last year's run. He said the players must use that experience to respond to adversity. He stated that the team will see who they are within the first few weeks of the season.
Brown indicated that the rotation is still in flux. He mentioned that he is testing different lineups and bench configurations. He acknowledged that starting Josh Hart last year did not yield immediate results. Brown said the team is figuring out the best long-term fit for the roster. He stated that they will continue to experiment early in the season to determine the optimal lineup.
