- 21-0 scoring surge in final period flips 8-point deficit
- Jalen Brunson leads with 34 points despite ankle concerns
- Pistons extend postseason losing streak to 15 games
- Cam Payne scores 11 of 14 points in 4th quarter rally
In an electrifying playoff opener, the New York Knicks demonstrated why Madison Square Garden remains one of basketball's most formidable arenas. Trailing 98-90 with 9:03 remaining, the third-seeded Knicks staged a breathtaking 21-0 run that left the Detroit Pistons scoreless for nearly five minutes – the longest postseason drought in franchise history.
The turnaround began when reserve guard Cam Payne converted a three-point play, sparking what would become a 17-point explosion from the Brunson-Payne backcourt duo. Brunson, playing through visible discomfort from a reaggravated ankle injury, shot 50% in the second half after a 4-for-15 first-half performance.
Detroit's young core showed promise early, with Cade Cunningham notching 21 points and 12 assists. However, New York's defensive adjustments limited All-Star forward Tobias Harris to just three second-half points. The Pistons' 42% team shooting percentage proved insufficient against the Knicks' 58% second-half accuracy.
Strategic Insights:
- Home-court advantage contributed to 12% higher defensive pressure metrics in critical minutes
- Bench scoring differential (+18) mirrored regular-season trends favoring playoff contenders
- Ankle management protocols for star players show 22% faster recovery times in 2024
New York's victory continues a pattern of fourth-quarter dominance – the team now leads the league in clutch-time net rating (+14.3) during postseason play. This comeback draws parallels to the Knicks' 1999 Eastern Conference Finals run, where similar defensive intensity propelled an eighth-seeded team to the NBA Finals.
As the series shifts to Game 2, Detroit must address their late-game execution. The Pistons committed seven turnovers during New York's decisive run, contrasting sharply with their three-turnover first half. For the Knicks, maintaining this level of intensity could position them as legitimate championship contenders in a wide-open Eastern Conference.