Jalen Brunson erupted for 36 points to lead the New York Knicks (3-2) to a commanding 128-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons (1-5) on Friday, marking New York’s 16th consecutive win against Detroit. Brunson set the tone early, scoring 15 points in the first quarter as the Knicks jumped to a 39-13 lead and never looked back.
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed significantly, putting up 21 points along with 11 rebounds and seven assists, while OG Anunoby added 21 points, helping New York maintain a comfortable lead throughout the game. The Knicks’ starters combined for 106 points, and they were in control from start to finish, leading by at least 20 points for the final three quarters.
The Pistons, who dropped to 1-5, struggled to keep up. Cade Cunningham was a bright spot for Detroit with 22 points, and Tobias Harris added 13 points and eight rebounds, but the team was unable to mount any serious challenge. The Knicks’ defense limited Detroit’s effectiveness, forcing 22 turnovers that resulted in 30 points for New York, while Detroit could only capitalize on 10 Knicks turnovers for 12 points.
The Knicks’ hot shooting in the first quarter laid the foundation for the win. New York shot 62.5% from the field in the opening period, including four of seven from three-point range, while committing just one turnover. In contrast, the Pistons shot 28.6% and committed seven turnovers, resulting in a deep deficit that was difficult to overcome.
Detroit, which has not recorded a winning season since 2015-16, showed resilience but could not keep pace with New York’s efficient offense and defensive pressure. The Pistons’ three-point shooting woes continued, as they hit only 11 of 34 attempts, and their lack of defensive stops allowed New York to extend their lead.
New York’s bench also played a solid role, with contributions from Miles McBride, who scored 10 points, and Cameron Payne, who added four points and three assists. Jericho Sims helped control the boards, collecting six rebounds, as the Knicks asserted control over the glass with a 45-38 rebounding advantage.
