Knicks vs Pistons Match Highlights and Recap 29th April: The Detroit Pistons aren’t done yet. Facing elimination on the road, Detroit pulled off a gritty 106-103 win over the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their first-round playoff matchup at Madison Square Garden.
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The win trims the Knicks’ series lead to 3-2 and sends the contest back to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit for Game 6 on Thursday.
It was a must-win for the eighth-seeded Pistons, who came into the night down 3-1 after a heartbreaking one-point loss at home in Game 4. That game was marred by controversy when officials failed to call a potential game-winning foul on a last-second Tim Hardaway three-point attempt. This time, however, Detroit left little to chance, closing out Game 5 in resilient fashion.
A Back-and-Forth Battle
The game was tight from the opening tip. Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm early, with the first quarter ending 23-22 in favor of New York. Cade Cunningham, Detroit’s franchise cornerstone, got off to a slow start but gradually grew into the game, finishing with a key pair of free throws late in the fourth to extend the Pistons’ lead.
Ausar Thompson delivered one of his strongest performances yet, leading all scorers with 24 points while putting in a tireless effort on the defensive end, particularly against Knicks star Jalen Brunson. Dennis Schröder was a key spark off the bench, contributing with timely buckets and critical possessions down the stretch.
Brunson, despite being held in check for most of the night, still finished tied for the team-high with 16 points, largely thanks to free throws. However, his absence late in the game raised eyebrows, especially as the Pistons surged with paint dominance and fast-break scoring.
Fourth Quarter Drama
With just over 30 seconds left, Detroit led by six, but a quick Mikal Bridges triple cut the lead to three. Schröder hit one of two free throws on the next possession, and OG Anunoby nailed a contested three with six seconds remaining to make it 106-103. But when Miles McBride was fouled with a chance to tie the game, he missed both free throws, sealing Detroit’s dramatic road victory.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who has been vocal about officiating throughout the series, received a technical in the fourth quarter after a failed challenge. Still, the Pistons weathered the Knicks’ runs with composed defense and better execution late.
Role Players Step Up
While Cunningham didn’t have his best shooting night (just 4-of-13), he tallied seven assists and made winning plays when it mattered most. Thompson’s two-way brilliance and Jalen Duren’s paint presence including clutch dunks in the final minutes proved vital. Duren overcame foul trouble to finish with a double-double, and Tobias Harris added steady veteran scoring.
The Knicks, meanwhile, leaned heavily on their size and interior presence. Mitchell Robinson had a strong showing with 11 points, three blocks, and elite rebounding, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Anunoby chipped in with 11 apiece. Still, New York struggled to capitalize on second-chance points despite hauling in 12 offensive boards.
What’s Next
The Pistons now return home with momentum and a chance to even the series in front of their fans on Thursday. If they manage to force a Game 7, they’ll have the chance to make history, becoming one of the few eighth seeds to upset a No. 3 seed in NBA playoff history.
For now, though, the season lives on and so does Detroit’s belief.