THE Knicks took a bigger 33-point lead in the second quarter thanks to crisp ball movement, stifling defense and All-Star play from their two best players – Jalen Brunson And Cities of Karl-Anthony – as they throttled the Detroit Pistons for a 128-98 road victory.
Takeaways
1. Brunson’s season-high 36 points included 26 in the first half, where the Knicks (3-2) buried the Pistons (1-5) behind a 39-13 first quarter. New York led by 33 twice in the second quarter, the last coming thanks to Brunson’s layup and free throw at 6:35, with Detroit trailing 59-26.
Brunson made 14 of 22 shots, including a 6 of 8 from deep, while adding five assists in 31 minutes. After shaky lines in his last two games, he made a total of 14 of 42 shots in Monday’s 110-104 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers And Wednesday’s 116-107 victory at the Miami Heat – Brunson responded with a season-best effort against a Knicks-led team.
2. Towns was a game decision due to a sprained left wristbut he looked healthy en route to 21 points — including 16 in the first half, where the Knicks took a 69-46 lead — and carried the momentum from Wednesday’s 44-point outburst . Brunson (12) and Towns (three) scored New York’s final 15 points of the first quarter, capping a 15-3 run in the final 4:08 of the period and demonstrating the duo’s lethal potential. Towns made 8 of 18 shots while grabbing 11 rebounds – his fourth straight double-double – and dishing out seven assists in 27 minutes.
3. The Knicks defense set the tone in the first quarter, where all 13 of the Pistons’ points came on six field goals. Defense by OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges And Josh Hart were felt as Detroit struggled. Offensively, Anunoby (21), Bridges (15) and Hart (13) added punch in their respective moments as New York’s starting five scored in double figures.
4. The season is young, but the Knicks have won back-to-back games and are above .500 for the first time in 2024-25. New York took care of business against a team it should have, dominating early and not letting up despite the Pistons’ slim 33-30 advantage in the second quarter. After opening the road trip with a victory at the Heat, the Knicks left no doubt in Detroit and will have a chance to breathe this weekend before returning to action early next week.
Who is the MVP?
Brunson, whose 16 first-quarter points provided early momentum as the Knicks stood up and buried the Pistons.
Highlights
What’s next
The Knicks continue their road trip and look for a three-game winning streak for the first time this season as they head to Houston for Monday’s 8:45 p.m. game with the Rockets.
