NEW YORK — The Detroit Pistons entered an elimination Game 5 against the New York Knicks on April 29, 2025, with a simple mindset: it’s just one game. They executed that plan perfectly, defeating the Knicks 106-103 at Madison Square Garden to force a Game 6 in Detroit on Thursday night.
Cade Cunningham, the Pistons' franchise player, scored 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, including 13 crucial points in the fourth quarter. Ausar Thompson also shone, contributing 22 points on an impressive 8-for-10 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two blocks. Tobias Harris added 17 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and two steals, showcasing the depth of the Pistons' roster.
The Pistons’ victory came after a series of frustrating games where they found themselves trailing 3-1 in the first-round playoff series. This win marked their first postseason victory since 2019, and it was a much-needed boost for a team that has experienced a significant turnaround this season.
“We’re just focused on the next game; that’s the best one for us,” Harris said. “That’s in our arena, and we need to go get a victory there. Our fans deserve that.”
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who previously helped the Houston Rockets come back from a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs, emphasized the importance of taking things one game at a time. “Kevin framed it to the guys perfectly in a way they were able to buy into,” Bickerstaff said, referencing his mentor Kevin McHale. “His message was, ‘one game.’ And then the next game was ‘one game.’ That’s our mindset right now.”
The Pistons opened the game with a strong start, racing to a 9-2 lead, but they quickly lost momentum, allowing the Knicks to take a 23-22 lead by the end of the first quarter. Detroit struggled to protect the ball, committing five turnovers that New York converted into easy transition baskets.
Despite their early struggles, the Pistons regrouped in the third quarter, opening with a 10-3 run to take a 59-53 lead. They extended that advantage to 71-61 with just over four minutes remaining in the period. However, the Knicks fought back, outscoring the Pistons 13-6 to close the quarter, narrowing the gap to 77-74.
In the fourth quarter, the game became a nail-biter. The teams traded leads, with the score tied at 95 after a layup from Mikal Bridges and a three-pointer from Karl-Anthony Towns. Cunningham then made two free throws to give the Pistons a 97-95 lead, followed by an alley-oop to Jalen Duren, pushing the lead to four.
As the clock wound down, the Pistons found themselves clinging to a narrow lead. Cunningham's clutch free throws with just 5.4 seconds left sealed the victory, pushing the Pistons ahead 106-103. “It’s a great feeling,” Cunningham said. “We are still in it. This whole series has been a grind.”
The Knicks, who were seeking to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third consecutive season, struggled with their shooting, particularly from star player Jalen Brunson, who finished with 16 points on 4-of-16 shooting. OG Anunoby led New York with 19 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each added 17.
Despite the loss, the Knicks had moments of brilliance, particularly in their rebounding effort, where they out-rebounded the Pistons 49-45, including 15 offensive boards. However, the Pistons' defense, led by Thompson, proved to be the difference maker in crucial moments.
The Pistons will look to even the series in Game 6 at Little Caesars Arena, where they have struggled historically, having lost an NBA record-tying nine straight home games since 2008. But the confidence is palpable among the players. “Confident,” Cunningham said. “We’ll be back.”
The upcoming Game 6 is set to be a pivotal moment for both teams, with the potential for a decisive Game 7 back at Madison Square Garden if the Pistons can secure a win on their home court.
