The New York Knicks now lost five games to the Detroit Pistons and now lost five series games at Madison Square Garden.
Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson were great for the Pistons, and their defense did tell a story that limits all five Knicks starters to under 20 points. They are now behind 3-2.
Jalen Brunson's worst game in the series, scoring 16 points in 16 shots. He missed the key in the fourth quarter because he hurt his right ankle. Then, when he was about to re-enter, the game didn't open until 27 seconds left.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau explained that the foul limit was left with only one timeout left him with no choice.
In an engaging series, if not for missing a foul call, the Pistons can even go up 3-2, which is incredible. After Game 4, the referee admitted that they should have fouled in Josh Hart to demonstrate (Tim Hardaway Jr. Jr. Detroit lost one.
Now, Game 6 at the Little Caesar Arena at 7:30 PM EST.
Knicks can't close the door at home
It's amazing to see New York not be able to do this at home in 26 years.
The last time the Knicks won a temporary game at Madison Square Garden was in the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
This is what it looks like since the drought:
- 2025: Losing to the Detroit Pistons 106-103. The first round, the fifth game.
- 2024: Lose to Indiana Pacers 130-109. The second round, Game 7.
- 2024: Losing to the Philadelphia 76ers 112-106. The first round, the fifth game.
- 2013: Losing to the Boston Celtics 92-86. The first round, the fifth game.
- 2001: Losing to the Toronto Raptors 93-89. The first round, the fifth game.
Maybe, they will take a breath in the next game.
The biggest thing about the Knicks right now is hopeful that Brunson will have a healthier version than we saw in Game 5. He usually doesn't find his usual fourth quarter hero, which is a big factor in the Pistons' victory.
If Detroit can force Game 7, it could bring an extremely tense atmosphere in New York. After entering the season, a potential first-round exit will be a nightmare.
