On Monday night, the Detroit Pistons did more than just win a basketball game; they broke a curse. In a tense battle at Madison Square Garden, the Pistons defeated the New York Knicks 100-94, securing their first playoff victory in 17 years. The win snaps the longest playoff losing streak in NBA history and evens the series at one game apiece, giving a long-suffering fanbase a powerful dose of hope.
Cunningham’s Heroics Fuel the Pistons
This was Cade Cunningham’s moment, and he delivered. After a quiet Game 1, the All-Star guard erupted for 33 points and 12 rebounds, reminding everyone why he is the face of the franchise. He was aggressive from the start, attacking the paint and drawing fouls.
The Pistons’ relentless pressure resulted in 14 free-throw attempts in the first half, while the Knicks only had two. Cunningham’s performance was not just about scoring; it was a statement that he and his team would not be pushed around on the NBA’s biggest stage.
“It’s something that the city been waiting on for a long time,” Cunningham said after the game. “We feel good about it and we’re ready to get back to the crib and perform in front of them.”
How a Dagger and a Disappearance Silenced the Garden
The Knicks fought back hard, erasing a Pistons lead with a furious 16-4 run. A massive dunk by Josh Hart tied the game at 94-94 with less than a minute remaining, and the momentum seemed to be swinging back to the home team.
Then, Dennis Schröder silenced the crowd. The guard, acquired at the trade deadline, calmly hit a go-ahead three-pointer with just 55 seconds left. It was the biggest shot of the game and proved to be the dagger. Schröder finished with 20 points off the bench, providing a crucial spark.
While Jalen Brunson was brilliant for the Knicks with 37 points, his star teammates were nowhere to be found. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, who combined for 46 points in Game 1, scored only 10 points each in the loss.
| Player | Team | Game 2 Points | Game 1 Points |
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 37 | Not Specified |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | 10 | 23 |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | 10 | 23 |
| Cade Cunningham | Pistons | 33 | Not Specified (8-for-21 shooting) |
A Remarkable Turnaround from Rock Bottom
The victory is even more incredible considering where the Pistons were just one season ago. The team has undergone a seismic shift, transforming from a historical loser into a competitive playoff team.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff credits the change to a new mindset focused on the present. “Our guys have been able to grow and be consistent,” he said. “They just think about the now.” This mental toughness was on display as they held onto their third-quarter lead, unlike in Game 1.
The contrast between the last two seasons is stunning:
- 2023-24 Season: The Pistons finished with a 14-68 record, which included a record-setting 28-game single-season losing streak.
- 2024-25 Season: The team improved to 44-38, earning their first playoff berth since 2019.
This win is a culmination of that hard work and a reward for a city that never gave up on its team.
Now, the Pressure Shifts as the Series Heads to Detroit
There were no wild celebrations in the Pistons’ locker room. The mood was one of relief and focus. This team isn’t satisfied with just one win; they want to win the series.
For the first time since 2019, Detroit will host a playoff game, and for the first time in six years, it will be a meaningful one with the series tied. The energy inside Little Caesars Arena for Game 3 on Thursday is expected to be electric.
The pressure is now squarely on the New York Knicks. “And now it’s on us to respond,” Jalen Brunson acknowledged. They will need much more from Towns and Anunoby if they hope to regain control of the series. Meanwhile, the Pistons are riding a wave of confidence, and for the first time in a generation, they believe they can do more than just compete.
