NBA: Knicks Erase Pistons’ 4th Quarter Ahead with Stunning 21-0 Run

As the 2025 NBA Playoffs moved through their third game, the arena opened electrifyingly as the New York Knicks stormed back from a fourth-quarter deficit. Knicks successfully destroyed the Detroit Pistons’ first playoff win as they led the game with 123-112 points. The boys did it with a remarkable 21-0 run in the final quarter. Their iconic move in Madison Square Garden propelled the Knicks to a 1-0 series lead in these playoffs.

Detroit entered Game 1 looking sharp and confident, building an eight-point lead by the end of the third quarter. Their offense was humming, especially in the third, where they poured in 36 points on just 22 possessions. Cade Cunningham arranged the offense efficiently, while Tobias Harris kept the pressure on with timely scoring. The Pistons came in with a strong record when leading late. The team had won 40 of their last 41 games when ahead by more than five points in the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, playoff basketball has a way of exposing inexperience, where they need to work out more.

The fourth quarter began inauspiciously for Detroit. A five-second inbounds violation set the tone, followed by a 24-second shot clock violation. Ausar Thompson missed an uncontested fast-break dunk, which could’ve stabilized the Pistons’ momentum. Instead, those miscues sparked a complete collapse. The Pistons committed eight turnovers in the final period alone and were outscored 40-21 in the quarter.

“We’re going to learn from this,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game. “They did what they were supposed to do in Game 1. Now we’ve got tape, we’ve got some experience. We can go back, break it down, and be better in Game 2.”

Tobias Harris, who finished with a solid 25 points, admitted that “little things,” including those turnovers and defensive lapses, cost them dearly. “We gave up too many threes,” Harris noted. “And we let certain guys get hot at the worst time.”

The Knicks’ fourth-quarter onslaught began with just over nine minutes remaining, trailing 103-95. What followed was a masterclass in playoff execution. The team scored on ten straight possessions while holding Detroit scoreless for nearly five minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns set the tone with a key steal on Cade Cunningham, leading to a fast-break layup by Jalen Brunson. Cunningham later committed two more costly turnovers, leading to easy Knicks baskets.

Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 34 points and added eight assists. After struggling in the first half (4-for-15 shooting), he came alive in the second, going 8-for-12. Twelve points came in the final period, where he continually attacked the basket and drew fouls. Brunson scored 30 or more in 12 of his last 19 playoff games, underscoring his rise as a clutch postseason performer.

Karl-Anthony Towns, making his playoff debut with New York, was equally impactful. He posted a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while dishing out five assists. His defensive presence was felt down the stretch, where he recorded two steals and two blocks. One of those steals came directly off Cade Cunningham in a half-court set. Meanwhile, another forced Harris into a difficult, contested shot. Towns also exploited a size mismatch against Harris, scoring multiple times in the post.

Cameron Payne provided a spark off the bench, dropping 14 points in under 15 minutes. He hit five of his seven shots, including three from beyond the arc. One was a clutch step-back triple after Brunson kicked the ball out of a double team, pushing the Knicks’ lead into double digits and effectively sealing the game.

Defensively, the Knicks turned up the intensity late. After allowing 36 third-quarter points, Detroit was held to 21 points on 27 fourth-quarter possessions. New York’s ball pressure and help defense forced turnovers and rushed shots. It starkly contrasted with the Pistons, who struggled mightily to contain the Knicks’ offensive weapons.

Detroit had turnover issues throughout the season, ranking in the bottom 10 in turnover rate. That trend continued here, as the Knicks forced 20 turnovers for the second time in five meetings with Detroit this season, resulting in Knicks wins.

The significance of this Game 1 win for the Knicks can’t be overstated. Not only did they protect home court, but they also showcased the depth, composure, and firepower that make them a real threat in the playoffs. For the Pistons, this was their first playoff appearance since 2019. It was also the team’s first loss at Madison Square Garden this season, after winning both regular-season matchups there.

Still, Tobias Harris remains optimistic. “Every game is a learning experience,” he said. “We’ve got a young team, and we’re going to take this in stride. We’ll look ahead to Game 2 with a clear mind and be ready.”

Game 2 of the Knicks vs Pistons series tips off Monday night at Madison Square Garden. With momentum firmly in New York’s corner and the Pistons searching for answers, all eyes will be on how this youthful Detroit squad responds to playoff adversity. As the NBA scores today show, no lead is safe in the playoffs, and experience often prevails under pressure.