Karl-Anthony Towns' Double-Double Against Pistons Propels Knicks to First Victory - Sportingpedia - Latest Sports News From All Over the World

Ausar Thompson watches as Jalen Brunson dribbles the ball

Key Takeaways:

The New York Knicks secured their first win of the season, defeating the previously unbeaten Detroit Pistons 111-97 at home
Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a standout performance with 27 points and 20 rebounds, helping the Knicks avoid a 0-4 start as defending champions
Jalen Brunson broke free of early shooting woes by adding 23 points, while Mikal Bridges contributed 12 points with four early 3-pointers

Rapid Third Quarter Turns Tide for Knicks

The New York Knicks found their form at Madison Square Garden, overcoming early season adversity and picking up their first victory since Game 5 of last year’s NBA Finals. Down 50-51 at the half, the Knicks erupted in the third quarter, outscoring the Detroit Pistons 37-13 to establish a decisive 25-point advantage by the start of the final period.

Jalen Brunson, who entered the night shooting just 39% for the campaign and managed only 1-for-9 in the first half, ignited the Knicks’ surge. He opened the third quarter by hitting his first three shots, immediately followed by a Mikal Bridges three-pointer as New York raced away with an 11-0 run.

HOME DUB 😎 https://t.co/tCQk5lP7l6
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 28, 2026

Towns Dominates as Knicks Avoid Historic Slump

Karl-Anthony Towns was dominant throughout the contest, notching 27 points and 20 rebounds. Towns carried the scoring load in crucial stretches of the third, including seven consecutive points, as the Knicks pulled clear. A further 12-2 burst capped by Josh Hart’s buzzer-beating triple ensured the home side entered the fourth quarter ahead 88-63.

The victory steered New York clear of matching the 1969-70 Boston Celtics for the most consecutive losses to start a season by a reigning champion, following earlier defeats to Philadelphia, Boston, and Orlando.

Pistons’ Winning Streak against Knicks Ends

Detroit had come into the clash seeking a 4-0 start for the first time since 2018-19 and had recently bested New York convincingly, with victories of 121-90, 118-80, and 126-111 in the 2025-26 season. The Pistons had won the previous six regular-season meetings, but could not replicate that success in New York.

Cade Cunningham led Detroit’s effort with 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Paul Reed impressed as a starter in place of the injured Jalen Duren, finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds.