The New York Knicks electrified Madison Square Garden with a dramatic 123-112 comeback win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday night.
Brunson’s Heroics Spark Knicks’ Rally
Jalen Brunson overcame a shaky start and an apparent ankle tweak to deliver a game-high 34 points, leading the Knicks back from an eight-point deficit late in the third quarter. After briefly leaving the court—reportedly to change sneakers—Brunson returned with renewed energy, fueling a 21-0 Knicks run that flipped the game on its head.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau quipped, “I think he grabbed his cape,” as Brunson and his teammates took over down the stretch.
Supporting Cast Delivers in the Clutch
Cam Payne was instrumental in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 14 points during the decisive run. Karl-Anthony Towns, making his playoff debut for New York, contributed 23 points and 11 rebounds, while OG Anunoby also added 23 points. The Knicks’ surge was capped by Josh Hart, who scored the final two baskets of the pivotal run, putting New York up 111-98 with under five minutes remaining.
Pistons Falter Late Despite Strong Start
The Pistons, playing their first playoff game since 2019, led 98-90 with just over nine minutes left and appeared poised to snap their NBA-record 14-game postseason losing streak. Tobias Harris paced Detroit with 25 points but managed only three after halftime. Cade Cunningham tallied 21 points and 12 assists in his playoff debut but struggled with efficiency, shooting 8-of-21 from the field.
Detroit’s offense stalled completely during New York’s fourth-quarter blitz, and the Knicks’ defense tightened, turning the tide in front of a roaring home crowd.
What’s Next
The Knicks, holding a 1-0 series lead, will host Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, looking to build on their momentum and keep home-court advantage.
Game 1 Box Score Highlights
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DET | 27 | 28 | 36 | 21 | 112 |
| NYK | 27 | 30 | 26 | 40 | 123 |
Key Stats:
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Jalen Brunson: 34 points (game-high)
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Karl-Anthony Towns: 23 points, 11 rebounds
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OG Anunoby: 23 points
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Cam Payne: 14 points (11 in fourth quarter)
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Tobias Harris: 25 points (Detroit)
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Cade Cunningham: 21 points, 12 assists
The Knicks’ resilience and explosive fourth-quarter offense set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling series against a hungry Pistons squad still searching for their first playoff win since 2008.
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