Knicks tear off Pistons 117-96 in preseason opener

This was a long break, but we’re back and so are the Knicks! Last night, in the preseason opener, they defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-96 in front of a 14,000 crowd at the Garden.

New addition, Jalen Brunson set the tone and led the offense dishing 5 assists to go with 16 points while RJ Barrett scored a game high 21 points while grabbing 5 boards.

“It’s a preseason game, but it’s a game nonetheless, and I was preparing myself as if it was a real game. That’s how I approach every single game.”

– Jalen Brunson

The Knicks went on a 13-0 run early in the second quarter and took a 40-27 lead, ignited by Isiah Hartenstein‘s three pointer. Derrick Rose made another three and then fed Hartenstein for another three pointer forcing the Pistons to call time out.

In the second half the Knicks would only continue to build. With 6 minutes left until the final act they set the largest lead of the game, 91-59 following an alley-oop dunk by Obi Toppin assisted by Barrett.

The Knicks outscored the Pistons 62-40 in the paint, had 27 assist to just 19 from the other side and committed 13 turnovers compared to Pistons’ 22.

Julius Randle scored 15 points shooting 6-10 from the field and Immanuel Quickley led the second unit with 13 buckets. Hartenstein and Toppin added 8 points each off the bench and with the exception of Trevor Keels, who played only 3 minutes, all the guys scored at least 2 points.

Cam Reddish left the court after playing just 11 minutes with a sprained ankle injury and did not return. Apparently, the 23-year-old tripped off a referee as Ian Begley reported. Reddish played in just 15 games last season and missed the last month to a shoulder injury.

For the Pistons, Jaden Ivey scored a team-high 16 points and Isaiah Livers delivered 13 off the bench. Rookie Jalen Duren collected a game high 14 boards for Detroit.

Up-next: The Knicks (1-0) will host the Pacers (0-0) on Friday night from 7:30 pm.