Jalen Brunson put on a spectacular performance, scoring 32 points, including 15 in the crucial fourth quarter despite suffering an ankle injury. His efforts, along with Karl-Anthony Towns who chipped in 27 points, propelled the New York Knicks to a narrow 94-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
Josh Hart was instrumental as well, contributing 14 points and 10 rebounds. With this win, the Knicks now hold a 3-1 series lead and will have a chance to close out the series in New York on Tuesday.
“Playoff wins are tough,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau remarked. “It’s hard to get them. We didn’t have much going our way to start the fourth and dug down and found a way to win.” He commended key plays from Towns, Brunson, and the defensive efforts from players like Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, underscoring the team’s collective effort.
The pivotal moment came when Towns hit a 3-pointer, putting the Knicks ahead 94-93 with just 47 seconds remaining. Controversy arose at the end of the game when Pistons’ Tim Hardaway Jr. appeared to be fouled on a missed three-point attempt, a call that did not go in Detroit’s favor. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed his frustration, stating, “There’s contact on his jump shot,” and later, crew chief David Guthrie admitted that the officials missed the call.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 25 points, while Tobias Harris added 18. This loss marked a record-tying ninth consecutive postseason defeat at home for the Pistons, which further emphasizes the challenges they face as they have not won a home playoff game since May 2008.
Throughout the game, the Knicks initially fell behind by as much as 16 points in the first half, but they fought back. Brunson’s return to the game was pivotal—after sustaining his ankle injury, he returned with determination and scored 13 of the Knicks’ next 21 points, ultimately allowing New York to tie the game at 84 with just over four minutes remaining.
Thibodeau humorously noted Brunson’s resilience, suggesting he might have changed shoes to better aid his performance. Brunson’s preparation and on-court execution reflect his commitment to the game, and his ability to overcome adversity is encouraging for the Knicks and their fans as they gear up for a potential series-clinching game.
The Knicks’ victory not only underscores their strength but also showcases the hopeful spirit of their playoff journey, as fans eagerly anticipate the next matchup and the possibility of advancing in the tournament.
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