Knicks edge Pistons in controversial Game 4 finish to take commanding series lead

The New York Knicks moved one win away from advancing in the NBA playoffs after a 94-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night at Little Caesars Arena.

Karl-Anthony Towns hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 46.6 seconds remaining and finished with 27 points, while Jalen Brunson tallied 32 points and 11 assists to give New York a 3-1 series lead.

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The outcome was not without controversy, as Pistons guard Tim Hardaway Jr. was bumped by Josh Hart while attempting a potential game-winning three at the buzzer, but officials did not call a foul.

Crew chief David Guthrie later acknowledged that a foul should have been assessed, which would have sent Hardaway Jr. to the line for three free throws with Detroit trailing by just one point.

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The Knicks overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit, riding Towns’ clutch shot-making and Brunson’s playmaking to seize control late in a physical, defensive battle.

Detroit’s Cade Cunningham recorded 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for his first career playoff triple-double, joining Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas as the only Pistons to achieve the feat.

Cunningham, however, missed two critical shots and committed a turnover in the final 67 seconds as the Pistons failed to capitalize on their late lead.

New York stormed out early, building a 16-point advantage in the first half before Detroit responded with an 11-0 run to narrow the gap by halftime.

The Pistons surged ahead in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors 28-14 behind Cunningham’s 12 points, but could not hold on in the closing minutes.

Brunson gave New York a brief scare when he exited late in the third quarter with a leg injury, yet the All-Star guard returned to lead the Knicks’ late rally.

Josh Hart added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Towns shot 5-for-7 from deep and grabbed nine boards for New York.

Hardaway Jr. finished with 14 points for Detroit, while Tobias Harris contributed 18 points and Jalen Duren grabbed 17 rebounds.

Game Recap: Knicks 94, Pistons 93

Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will look to close out the first-round series in front of their home crowd.

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