Detroit Downs Knicks in Homestand's Finale

The Detroit Pistons took advantage of a New York Knicks team missing Karl-Anthony Towns.

Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

This time around, a lack of first period horsepower came back to stall out the New York Knicks.

Brutal bookends came back to bite the Knicks as they dropped a 120-111 decision to the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden. The loss prevented the Knicks (14-9) from obtaining a perfect four-game homestand and stopped what's tied for their longest winning streak of the season at four.

Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 31 points, pairing them with 10 assists in defeat. The loss also ended the Knicks' 16-game winning streak against the Pistons, one that dated back to February 2020.

Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) and forward Ronald Holland II (00) defend during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

En route to ending a three-game losing streak, Detroit (10-15) enjoyed a triple-double from Cade Cunningham, as the top pick from 2021 put up 29 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds. Behind him was a strong relief effort from Malk Beasley, who earned all but two of his points on a 7-of-10 tally from three-point range.

Detroit took advantage of a Knicks group missing Karl-Anthony Towns, posting a plus-12 advantage on the glass while he sat. Jericho Sims got the start in his place but he was pulled quickly in favor of a Precious Achiuwa/Ariel Hukporti platoon. Sims played only six minutes and did not return, as Achiuwa (10) and Josh Hart (6) united for 16 of the Knicks' 31 rebounds. No other New Yorker had more than four.

It was a frustrating night for the Knicks from start to finish: the Pistons set the tone with 39 points in the opening period, most of that tally built on seven three-pointers. Detroit was a solid half-and-half from three-point range on the night, going 18-of-36 on triples throughout the evening with Cunningham and Beasley responsible for a dozen of those outputs.

The Knicks were a mere 11-of-34, a number no doubt partly brought about by the absence of Cameron Payne, who sat out for the second straight contest with an elbow issue.

Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after being ejected by referee Ray Acosta (54) during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Playing in front of almost 40 former Knicks stars, back at MSG as part of a "homecoming weekend" event, the modern New Yorkers put forth a solid comeback effort: the lead was whittled down to 11 by halftime and four by the end of the third. The packed Garden was thrust into a frenzy when Brunson found Hukporti for a showstopping alley-oop at the onset of the fourth.

From there, however, the Pistons posted a 14-2 run that more or less broke the Knick's will, the dagger being a Beasley triple that that re-estabished a 14-point lead. Tensions boiled over in the penultimate minute when Hart was ejected for arguing with officials despite Cunningham being equally animated in a similar discussion.

The Knicks hit the road for a game before they engage in their NBA Cup quarterfinal match, as they'll take on the Toronto Raptors in Ontario on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

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