The Knicks’ season doesn’t start until the Eastern Conference Finals — if they get that far — and all of a sudden it is not looking good.
On the evening after James Dolan said that “if you want to build a long-term compete (for the title), you need a different guy (from former Knick coach Tom Thibodeau) — you need someone who is much more of a collaborator than Tom was” — the Knicks were pasted in the second half by the Pistons in Detroit for a 121-90 loss — their 4th loss in a row.
NY got by the Pistons in a hard-fought series last year under Thibodeau, then beat defending champ Boston, but lost to Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals, causing them to fire Thibs and hire Mike Brown — the ultimate collaborator.
Detroit crushed the Knicks with DEFENSE. NY’s high-motion offense that Brown was heralded for bringing in early this season was stuck in mud — as NY was outscored 25-15 in the 3rd quarter and 32-21 in the 4th. Jalen Brunson scored 25 pts on 10-21 shooting (2-6 from 3) and Miles McBride had 17 pts on 6-9 shooting (5-6 from 3) but Karl-Anthony Towns (6 pts on 1-4 shooting), Mikal Bridges (10 pts on 4-11 shooting, 2-3 from 3), and OG Anunoby (5 pts on 1-3 shooting) were taken out of their game.
“It’s pretty simple: they just physically kicked our ass,” said Knick coach Mike Brown afterwards.
NY falls to 23-13, and is now 4 games back of Detroit and a half game behind Boston, which leap-frogs them. Detroit improves to 27-9.
1. A Close Game After 1 Quarter
Detroit asserted dominance early — racing out to a 15-7 lead on scoring by Duncan Robinson, Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart, Paul Reed, and Ausar Thompson.
But the Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, pushed back. Brunson scored 12 points in the 1st quarter and NY was down 30-29 after 1.
Brunson in attack mode early 🔥
He’s got 8 midway through Q1!
Tap to watch on Peacock: https://t.co/3uqiYfX3F3 pic.twitter.com/fuNyv6boKu
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2026
2. Detroit Pulls Away in 2nd with DEFENSE
But Detroit’s 2nd team started to lay the hammer down defensively to start the 2nd quarter, and with scores by Daniss Jenkins, Ronald Holland II, and Jaden Ivey — the Pistons pulled out to a 9-pt lead midway thru the period.
Tyler Kolek played well (again) for NY; he hit a 3 midway thru the period, then fed Mikal Bridges for a 3 and NY was within 45-42 with 6:34 left in the period.
But Detroit amped up their D and took a 10-pt lead at the half, at 64-54.
DETROIT.
DEFENSIVE.
INTENSITY.5 steals and 3 blocks from the NBA’s #2 defense in the 2nd quarter alone 🔥
Pistons lead Knicks at the half on Peacock… watch here: https://t.co/3uqiYfX3F3 pic.twitter.com/nYqs0WVIl4
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2026
3. Detroit Demolishes NY in the 3rd
And then came the 3rd quarter. Detroit laid down the hammer on D, outscoring the Knicks 25-15 in the period.
On offense, Cade Cunningham took off — hitting a 3, a couple of free throws off a drive, a floater, a 3, and a drive-and-1 early in the period as the Pistons built a 22-pt lead at 81-59 lead.
CADE SCORING.
CADE DISHING.
CADE DEFENDING.29 points, 9 assists and 2 blocks for Detroit’s Motorcade so far 😤
3Q on Peacock… watch here: https://t.co/3uqiYfX3F3 pic.twitter.com/t4M5f3kjA6
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2026
‘
Then Detroit’s 2nd team came in and Jaden Ivey started torching the Knicks. Detroit took an 89-69 lead after 3.
4. Detroit Crushes NY in the 4th
The 4th quarter was more of the same. KAT hit 2 free throws to start the period, but then Daniss Jenkins, Javonte Green, and Ronald Holland II hit 3 consecutive 3’s and it was 98-71 Detroit.
Miles McBride hit 3 straight 3’s midway thru the period to pull NY within 19, but Detroit fired back with 8 straight points — a bucket by Jaden Ivey, a 3 Javonte Green, and a 3 by Ronald Holland II — and it was Good Night NY.
The Boxscore
https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401810357
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