Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks Recover in Detroit For 2-1 Lead

The New York Knicks' high-profile newcomers rose to the occasion in a vital third game against the Detroit Pistons.

Apr 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Detroit, rocked city, courtesy of the New York Knicks.

The Knicks' newcomers rose to the occasion in the third act of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Detroit Pistons, as Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges united with Jalen Brunson to post a 118-116 victory on Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena.

New York now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

Apr 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates a three point basket in the first half against the Detroit Pistons during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Towns put up 31 points in the win while Bridges' box score had a little bit of everything with 20 tallies, seven rebounds, two blocks, and three assists and steals each. Brunson lived up to his newly-official reputation as Clutch Player of the Year with 30 points, a dozen coming in the final period.

Combined with 22 tallies from the arms of OG Anunoby, the Knicks had four scorers with at least 20 in a playoff game for the first time since 1972's trek to the NBA Finals. The lone outlier, Josh Hart, still fell just short of a double-double with 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Cade Cunningham and former Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. each led the Pistons with 24 points in defeat.

Denied a single try from the field in the fourth quarter of Game 2, Towns immediately got to work and took advantage of his early touches with a trio of triples within the first eight minutes to help build an early lead assisted by one three each from Anunoby, Bridges, and Brunson.

Towns and Anunoby handled the offensive work, rising above simmering tensions and post-whistle scuffles to unite for 35 of 66 points in the first half. The most notable incident happened late in the first period, one where Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Paul Reed were called for offsetting technical fouls.

Amidst the whistles, Detroit overcame an early deficit to take the lead but another run of blackjack placed momentum in the Knicks' corner: Anunoby's three-pointer with 4:09 remaining tipped off a 21-6 run that closed out the frame, one that gave New York a 13-point lead at intermission.

With Isaiah Stewart missing his second straight game due to knee inflammation, the Knicks held down the paint this time, limiting Detroit to only eight points in the colored area in the first 24 minutes. After claiming the Knicks had a "different dynamic" compared to last year's group he faced as a Philadelphia 76er, Tobias Harris was held scoreless in the opening half and was charged with four fouls before sinking one.

Detroit immediately narrowed the gap at the onset of the third, the first of several major challenges throughout the second half. But the Knicks withstood each and every run, cutting off the Pistons' furious three-point rate that kept them alive in the first: Hardaway Jr. was a perfect 5-of-5 from deep to start but finished a mere 2-of-7. All of Brunson's aforementioned fourth quarter points came in the final eight minutes, which helped seal the deal.

Though both teams were charged with their fair share of fouls, the game ended in a controversial nature: with just over five seconds remaining and the Knicks leading by three before an inbound, officials appeared to miss a backcourt violation against Brunson, but his momentum took him beyond the center line on the pass from Bridges to render the play legal.

Brunson made one-of-two at the foul line before Detroit extended its lifespan with a Harris three with just over a second remaining. The Knicks captain was back at the foul line with under a second left on the next possession in a further attempt to extend the game. Brunson hit his first before intentionally missing the second in attempt to run out the dwindling time.

Apr 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder (17) in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

A supposed clock malfunction, which started the clock before either team gained possession, gave Detroit not only a chance for a miracle but also a de facto timeout to draw up a play. Fortunately for the Knicks, one last Pistons turnover finally gave them the necessary stop to close things out, granting them the series lead and homecourt advantage back.

The series remains stationed in Detroit for Game 4, which will be staged at Little Caesars Arena on April 27 at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.

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