Thu May 01 23:20:00 UTC 2025: **Pistons Steal Game 5 from Knicks, Even Series at 3-2**
NEW YORK — The Detroit Pistons stunned the New York Knicks with a 106-103 victory in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, evening the series at 3-2. The win sends the series back to Detroit for a pivotal Game 6.
The game turned on a late-game injury to Knicks star Jalen Brunson and a strategic decision by Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. With under three minutes remaining and the Knicks trailing, both Brunson and Josh Hart suffered injuries, forcing them to the bench. Despite their imminent return, Thibodeau opted not to use his final timeout or intentionally foul, leaving his starters sidelined during a crucial stretch. Thibodeau cited time, score, and penalty as factors in his decision.
Brunson, the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, had been instrumental in the Knicks’ previous wins, averaging over 13 points in the fourth quarter. However, hampered by his injury and the team’s strategic choice, he had a subpar performance, scoring only 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting. This marked a significant drop from his previous games where he scored 30+ points.
The Pistons, meanwhile, received a standout performance from Ausar Thompson. Thompson, typically inconsistent offensively and foul-prone, played exceptional defense on Brunson, scoring 22 points on just 10 shots and proving crucial in the late-game rotations. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Thompson’s defensive performance, crediting him with significantly limiting Brunson’s impact. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons in scoring with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
The Knicks made a late push, with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby hitting crucial three-pointers, but ultimately ran out of time and steam, falling short of a series-clinching victory at home. The loss marks the Knicks’ longest drought without a series-clinching win at Madison Square Garden since 1999. The series now shifts back to Detroit for Game 6 on Thursday.
First Piper 