In a thrilling NBA playoff opener, the New York Knicks staged a remarkable comeback against the Detroit Pistons, overcoming an eight-point deficit at the end of the third quarter with a stunning 21-0 run in the fourth. Key contributions came from Cameron Payne, who scored 11 points off the bench, and Jalen Brunson, who finished with an impressive shooting performance despite battling an ankle injury. The Knicks' defense was equally commendable, particularly with OG Anunoby's efforts to limit Cade Cunningham's impact.

The Knicks' approach included shutting down Detroit's key players while forcing turnovers, a tactic that proved effective as they held the Pistons to a lower shooting percentage in the fourth quarter. Despite the Pistons' strong start, with high shooting percentages from beyond the arc, the Knicks managed to tighten up their defense and minimize offensive rebounds allowed.