Karl-Anthony Towns powered the New York Knicks to a gritty 118-116 win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night, dropping 31 points and reclaiming control of their first-round series with a 2-1 lead. The win not only gave the Knicks back home-court advantage, but it also reminded everyone of their edge when the moment tightens.
Towns set the tone early, scoring 11 in the first quarter and finishing 4-of-8 from deep after struggling from beyond the arc in Games 1 and 2. He was matched by Jalen Brunson, who poured in 30 points and showed why he was named the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year just 24 hours earlier.
True to the title, Brunson made back-to-back driving layups in the closing minutes to give New York breathing room, then iced it at the line with 0.5 seconds remaining after the Pistons pulled within a single possession.
OG Anunoby added 22 points for a Knicks team that looked sharper and more composed after Detroit stole Game 2 and snapped their infamous 15-game playoff losing streak. New York responded with a statement in Game 3, an early 21-3 run in the second quarter built a cushion they would not surrender, even as the Pistons twice cut the lead to a single point in the third.
Tempers flared early. Brunson was assessed a flagrant foul on Tim Hardaway Jr., who later finished with 24 points and a career-playoff-best seven threes. In the closing moments of the first quarter, Mitchell Robinson and Paul Reed tangled, prompting Towns to step in and shove Reed, who had to be restrained.
Despite the fireworks, the Knicks kept their focus. They led 66-53 at halftime and took a 10-point edge into the fourth. Though the Pistons made a final push, capped by a Hardaway three that cut the lead to three with 5.8 seconds left, Detroit never got off a final shot. Jalen Duren’s sideline pass sailed out of bounds, sealing the win for New York.
Brunson, Towns, and Anunoby gave the Knicks a balanced, playoff-hardened performance on the road, putting them one step closer to advancing and putting Detroit on the brink once again. Game 4 is set for Sunday, where the Knicks can push the Pistons to the edge of elimination.
Jalen Brunson: A+
Stats: 30 PTS, 7 REB (0 OREB, 7 DREB), 9 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 9-20 FG, 1-7 3PT, 11-13 FT, +8, 39 MIN
Brunson played like a man who had just been crowned the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year because he had. The Knicks' floor general was in full control of the offense, balancing pace and pressure with surgical precision. He poured in 30 points, grabbed seven boards, and dished out nine assists, but it was his poise in the final minutes, hitting two critical layups and calmly sinking clutch free throws, that truly sealed this one. Despite his 1-of-7 showing from deep, Brunson’s ability to relentlessly attack the rim and absorb contact made the difference.
Karl-Anthony Towns: A+
Stats: 31 PTS, 8 REB (0 OREB, 8 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 4 PF, 10-18 FG, 4-8 3PT, 7-7 FT, +8, 41 MIN
Towns delivered one of his most composed playoff performances to date, dropping 31 points while commanding respect from all three levels. His early scoring binge set the tone, and his 4-of-8 mark from deep helped break the Pistons' defensive shell. Just as vital was his presence in the paint, eight defensive boards and two blocks showed his commitment to doing the dirty work. This was the Towns the Knicks envisioned when they brought him in: a dominant force who steps up when it counts.
OG Anunoby: B+
Stats: 22 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 3 PF, 7-17 FG, 3-8 3PT, 5-6 FT, +2, 43 MIN
Anunoby’s value continues to shine beyond the box score, but even the numbers were solid: 22 points, two steals, and a block in 43 high-leverage minutes. He attacked closeouts, kept the offense flowing with timely cuts, and knocked down threes when left open. His defense on the wing helped disrupt Detroit’s rhythm, especially in the second-quarter run. Turnovers and foul trouble slightly marred his night, but overall, he was a reliable two-way presence.
Mikal Bridges: B+
Stats: 20 PTS, 7 REB (1 OREB, 6 DREB), 3 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 3 TO, 2 PF, 7-13 FG, 3-6 3PT, 3-3 FT, -4, 39 MIN
Bridges had perhaps his best game of the series, contributing 20 points on efficient shooting and showcasing his all-around game with three steals and two blocks. He was aggressive without forcing things, and his on-ball defense on Cade Cunningham and Hardaway Jr. was disruptive. The -4 plus-minus wasn’t indicative of his impact. Bridges played heavy minutes and was often asked to plug holes defensively, which he did admirably.
Josh Hart: B+
Stats: 6 PTS, 11 REB (4 OREB, 7 DREB), 9 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 3-7 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, +5, 41 MIN
The Knicks’ glue guy was everywhere. Hart only scored six points, but his fingerprints were all over this win: 11 rebounds, nine assists, and relentless effort on both ends. He set the tone on the glass, especially with four offensive boards that gave the Knicks extra possessions, and made several hustle plays that don’t show up in the stat sheet. When Hart plays with this kind of energy, the Knicks are a different team.
Mitchell Robinson: C-
Stats: 2 PTS, 4 REB (3 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 4 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -7, 16 MIN
Robinson’s impact was limited in this one. He was active on the offensive glass with three boards, but defensively, he struggled to contain Detroit’s drives and lacked his usual rim protection presence. The four fouls in just 16 minutes limited his availability, and his inability to punish mismatches on offense stood out. With the series tightening, the Knicks need more from their big man moving forward.
Cameron Payne: N/A
Stats: 4 PTS, 0 REB (0 OREB, 0 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 2-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -8, 9 MIN
Payne saw brief action and provided a quick scoring spark with four points on two made shots. However, his defensive limitations and Detroit’s ability to target him in pick-and-rolls led to a short leash. His role remains situational, but his burst can be useful in the right moments.
Miles McBride: N/A
Stats: 3 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 1-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, +8, 9 MIN
McBride logged nine minutes and hit a key three, but wasn’t otherwise involved. His defense was steady, and his energy gave the Knicks a short boost during a key second-quarter stretch. While not heavily featured, his minutes were solid.
