Knicks defeat the Pistons 128-98 as Brunson scores 36

The New York Knicks took care of business in Detroit, cruising past the Pistons 128-98 to push their record above .500. It was a dominant night from the get-go, thanks to Jalen Brunson’s electric performance. Brunson was in full takeover mode, pouring in 36 points with incredible efficiency. He opened the game on fire, scoring 15 points in the first quarter alone, helping the Knicks blast the Pistons 39-13 right out of the gate. Detroit just couldn’t keep up, and the Knicks never looked back from there.

Brunson was on another level, shooting 14-22 from the field, including a scorching 6-8 from beyond the arc. And he wasn’t the only one who showed up. Karl-Anthony Towns played like a true all-around star, adding 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, while OG Anunoby matched Towns’ 21 points and threw in 6 assists of his own. The supporting cast came through as well—Mikal Bridges quietly finished with 15 points and a game-high +/- of +31, and Josh Hart added 13 points on efficient 6-9 shooting, as every Knicks starter hit double digits.

Miles McBride struggled a bit with his shot, going just 4-12 from the field and 2-8 from deep. Still, he managed to make it to double figures, leading the bench with 10 points. Even though his shooting wasn’t spot-on, McBride’s hustle and energy were contagious, keeping the Knicks’ momentum strong whenever he was on the floor.

The Pistons, meanwhile, continued their struggles against New York, with this loss marking their 16th straight against the Knicks. Cade Cunningham did what he could, finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, but it wasn’t enough. Tobias Harris chipped in 13 points, and Simone Fontecchio gave them 12 off the bench. Former Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. had a quiet night with just 8 points on 3-9 shooting. Detroit, now 1-5, is still looking for their first win at home.

There was barely any action at the charity stripe, with just 17 free throws combined. The Knicks took only 10 trips to the line, making 6 of them. But they didn’t need free throws to get the job done. They controlled the boards, out-rebounding Detroit 45-38, and they really made their mark on the offensive glass, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds to the Pistons’ 6. Their paint protection and rebounding dominance set the tone on defense.

The Knicks also turned up the heat on defense, forcing the Pistons into 22 turnovers and outscoring them 23-16 on fast breaks. Detroit had no answers for New York’s relentless pace and defensive pressure, and by the time the final buzzer sounded, the Knicks had delivered a commanding win. It was the kind of all-around performance that gives Knicks fans a lot to look forward to as the season rolls on.

Up-next: The Knicks (3-2) will travel to Houston to take on the Rockets (3-2) on Monday from 7:45pm