For the second straight year, the New York Knicks failed to finish off a first-round series in Game 5, falling 106–103 to the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden.
The matchup, expected to be a gritty battle, instead unraveled into a chaotic and uneven game. Officiating again drew criticism, especially after a missed foul call in Game 4, but both teams came in knowing one thing — physicality would determine the outcome.
Early on, the Knicks capitalized on Detroit’s foul trouble. Mitchell Robinson dominated the glass with seven first-quarter rebounds, five of them offensive, as New York looked poised to take control. But momentum is fragile.
Despite entering with a 3–1 series lead, the Knicks played directly into the Pistons’ game plan — falling into foul trouble, settling for poor shots, and breaking down defensively. Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges each picked up two early fouls, limiting their aggression. Jalen Brunson, the team’s go-to scorer, had just three points at the half. Karl-Anthony Towns looked nothing like the player from Game 2.
The Knicks stayed competitive, but it felt like they were constantly chasing the game — another missed opportunity when the finish line was within reach.
Brunson’s Off Night Proves Costly
Brunson’s struggles were especially glaring. After hitting a jumper midway through the third and showing visible relief, he picked up a costly technical foul for arguing a call just moments later — gifting Detroit valuable free points in a game decided by three.
Brunson’s frustration mirrored the team’s unraveling. When he falters, the entire offense tends to freeze. And with Hart limping late in the game and few others stepping up, the Knicks lacked the firepower to close it out.
Key struggles:
-
Towns: 5-for-14 shooting
-
McBride: 2-for-7
-
Knicks relied on drawing contact instead of crisp ball movement
Robinson Shines in a Dim Night
One of the few bright spots was Mitchell Robinson. In just 23 minutes, he posted 13 points and 11 rebounds — including eight on the offensive glass — and finally looked like the impactful force the Knicks hoped for post-injury.
He wasn’t flashy, but he was effective.
Recurring Issues, Same Result
The third quarter again proved to be the Knicks’ downfall — a trend throughout the series. Coach Tom Thibodeau has shown little willingness to adjust, and it continues to cost them.
Meanwhile, the Pistons made smart, timely decisions:
-
Cade Cunningham led the way with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
-
Ausar Thompson battled through foul trouble for 22 points and 7 boards.
-
Tobias Harris played 43 tough minutes and nailed three of five from deep.
Detroit adapted. The Knicks did not.
Now, New York heads back to Detroit — a similar spot to last season when they closed out the 76ers in Game 6 on the road. The pressure is higher, and the margin for error is gone.