Pistons Get Their Revenge on Knicks in 121-90 Win at the LCA
If Pistons fans needed closure from last spring, Monday night delivered it in emphatic fashion.
Back in April, it was the New York Knicks who ended Detroit’s season — a gut-punch first-round exit sealed by a Jalen Brunson buzzer-beater that still stings. That moment lingered. You don’t forget something like that. And judging by the way the Pistons came out at Little Caesars Arena, neither did they.
On a national Peacock broadcast, in front of a playoff-charged crowd — and yes, even with Spike Lee in the building — Detroit left absolutely no doubt. The Pistons steamrolled the Knicks 121–90, sending a clear message to the rest of the Eastern Conference: this team isn’t just ahead of schedule — it’s ahead of the curve.
Cade Cunningham was brilliant. Again.
All I can say is that it is now becoming routine for Cade Cunningham to exert his will on the opponent night in and night out. Cunningham finished with 29 points, 13 assists, and complete control of the game, dictating tempo from the opening tip and dismantling New York’s defense possession by possession.
What made the performance even more impressive was the context. Detroit was shorthanded once again, missing Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren, both dealing with injuries that could linger. No panic. No hesitation. Cade put the team on his back, the way elite players do. And the crowd? Chants of MVP were continuous throughout the evening. Detroit finally has its Superstar.
At just 24 years old, Cunningham looks like the dominant guard in the Eastern Conference — poised, physical, and utterly unfazed by pressure. Every time the Knicks tried to make a run, Cade calmly shut the door. A pull-up jumper. A laser to a cutter. A reset that led to a wide-open three. He ran the show.
Detroit’s defense did the rest.
Holding the Knicks to 90 points isn’t an accident — it’s an identity. Sure, Brunson got his 25 points, but for the most part, Detroit contained him for most of the evening. The Pistons were relentless for all 48 minutes, swarming passing lanes, closing out shooters, and never allowing New York to establish any rhythm. This wasn’t just good defense; it was suffocating. It should be noted that the Knicks were also without one of their key players, Josh Hart.
The Pistons shot 52% from the field (16-of-31 from three) — a number well above their season average — and while that kind of efficiency may not be sustainable every night, it showed what this offense looks like when it’s clicking. If Detroit can even approach that level consistently, they become an absolute nightmare matchup.
Meanwhile, New York looked worn down, frustrated, and overwhelmed. Spike Lee’s body language said it all.
Detroit’s depth continues to show.
Jaden Ivey attacked the basket with confidence and explosiveness, finishing with 16 points, while Javonte Green delivered one of his best performances of the season, knocking down four three-pointers and providing relentless energy on both ends.
Paul Reed, Ron Holland, and Ausar Thompson filled the gaps left by injuries with energy, rebounding, and defense. Holland even knocked down a fourth-quarter three that hit the rim, popped straight up, and somehow fell back in. His reaction said it all — jumping around like a kid who’d just hit his first-ever jumper. Given his recent struggles from deep, it was a genuine feel-good moment, equal parts relief and joy, and one the entire bench clearly enjoyed.
Ausar Thompson, for all his athleticism, continues to struggle with decision-making when driving into traffic. He gets himself into trouble at times, either losing the handle or forcing plays that aren’t there. The aggression is good. The next step is learning when to pull it back.
These are correctable issues — and importantly, they’re happening on a team that’s winning.
Free Throw Clean Up.
This can’t be overstated — and it’s something I bring up often because it decides games more than fans want to admit. Detroit went 11-for-16 (69%) from the free-throw line. Not perfect, but on a blowout night like this, it was more than enough. In a tighter game, though, those same misses can be the difference between a win and a loss.
When Detroit defends, rebounds, and takes care of business at the stripe, the margin for error for opponents shrinks dramatically.
Stat Capsule 📊
Final: Pistons 121, Knicks 90
Record: Detroit improves to 27–9
Game Leaders
- 🏀 Points: Cade Cunningham – 29
- 🎯 Assists: Cade Cunningham – 13
- 🧱 Rebounds: Ron Holland – 10
Team Shooting
- FG: 47-86 (55%)
- 3PT: 16-31 (52%)
- FT: 11-16 (69%)
Hustle & Control
- Assists: 25
- Steals: 12
- Blocks: 11
- Points in the Paint: 52
- Largest Lead: 33
Detroit didn’t just beat the Knicks. They answered something.
They answered last spring.
They answered questions about depth.
They answered doubts about whether this group could handle expectations.
Now, the question turns outward.
If Cade Cunningham is already this good at 24 — and the Pistons are winning like this while shorthanded — how far can this team really go? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Pistons Hardwood Hub — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
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