Knicks Snap 0-3 Start With 111-97 Win Over Detroit
New York’s offense exploded in the second half as Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart stepped up against a Pistons team missing Jalen Duren.
By Adrian Kovalenko ·
The New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 111-97 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, ending a three-game losing streak that had left the defending champions 0-3 on the season.
New York overcame a double-digit deficit to build a 27-point lead in the second half. The team, which entered the game ranked last in points per game and pace, outscored Detroit 37-13 in the third quarter after limiting the Pistons to 3-for-21 shooting in the second quarter.
Mikal Bridges provided a key offensive spark. He scored 10 points over his first three games and missed all 10 of his three-point attempts in that span. On Tuesday, Bridges connected on four three-pointers. Josh Hart buried a three-pointer to close the third quarter following a hustle play by OG Anunoby, prompting a celebration from the team.
The Pistons arrived with a perfect record and had beaten New York in the previous season. They also played without center Jalen Duren. Detroit’s shooting struggles and the absence of Duren contributed to their loss, though New York’s defensive intensity increased as the game progressed.
Head coach Mike Brown said before the game that the team had to focus on Detroit as the opponent in front of them. He noted that Detroit had beaten the Knicks last year and referenced a similar early-season loss against Utah during his time as an assistant coach in Golden State.
Brown acknowledged that the team is still finding its rhythm. He stated that the rotation is not yet set and that he is experimenting with different lineups to find what works best for the team long term. He pointed to the decision not to start Josh Hart earlier in the season as an example of a short-term adjustment that did not produce the desired result.
Brunson, who played a central role in New York’s championship run last season, said the team needs to control what it can and focus on small details. He emphasized the importance of sticking together after experiencing adversity in the first few weeks of the season.
The Knicks finished the game with a 27-point margin of victory. Ausar Thompson was fouled out with 2:49 remaining in the fourth quarter after a physical play against Brunson. The win marks the first victory for New York in the 2026-27 season.
Source: Newsday
