A 21-0 fourth quarter run highlighted a Knicks 123-112 Game 1 victory over the Pistons. Detroit led 91-83 entering the final frame, but the inexperience began to show. New York outscored the Pistons 40-21 in the fourth.
Jalen Brunson, who got off to a slow start, finished with 34 points. OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points each.
Like Brunson, Cunningham had a slow start and finished with 21 points. Tobias Harris led the Pistons in scoring with 25, including 22 in the first half.
Here are the full box score stats, highlights and results from Game 1 of the Knicks vs. Pistons series. DraftKings Network also provides the updated odds for the playoff series.
Knicks vs. Pistons box score
Knicks
| Name | PTS | REB | AST | FGs | MIN |
| Mikal Bridges | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4-9 | 29 |
| OG Anunoby | 23 | 7 | 0 | 8-18 | 44 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 23 | 11 | 5 | 10-14 | 39 |
| Jalen Brunson | 34 | 2 | 8 | 12-27 | 40 |
| Josh Hart | 13 | 7 | 6 | 6-10 | 30 |
| Mitchell Robinson | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3-3 | 18 |
| Cam Payne | 14 | 0 | 1 | 5-7 | 15 |
| Miles McBride | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0-3 | 15 |
| Landry Shamet | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1-2 | 10 |
Pistons
| Name | PTS | REB | AST | FGs | MIN |
| Tobias Harris | 25 | 6 | 0 | 8-13 | 40 |
| Ausar Thompson | 10 | 6 | 1 | 4-8 | 23 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 19 | 2 | 1 | 7-13 | 28 |
| Jalen Duren | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3-4 | 25 |
| Cade Cunningham | 21 | 6 | 12 | 8-21 | 39 |
| Ron Holland II | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0-1 | 6 |
| Isaiah Stewart | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1-2 | 19 |
| Dennis Schroder | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3-8 | 26 |
| Malik Beasley | 20 | 4 | 2 | 7-16 | 35 |
Knicks vs. Pistons Game 1 highlights
The Knicks and Pistons played a tight, back-and-forth first quarter that ended in a 27-27 tie. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s fastbreak slam was one of many highlights throughout the game.
Tim steal → Tim throw down
That's that #DETROITBASKETBALL pic.twitter.com/yGSHF8fqhB
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 19, 2025
Anunoby poured in 12 first quarter points with this fadeaway buzzer beater to cap off the frame.
12 PTS in the 1Q and OG's just getting started 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dGdEbZt0gO
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 19, 2025
Mitchell. Robinson. SLAM.
🚨 MITCH SLAM ALERT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/9fNOIywoxi
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 19, 2025
Harris scored 22 points in the FIRST HALF. He capped the half off with this near buzzer-beater.
Just give Unc the ball https://t.co/a6M7i0YXuU pic.twitter.com/9ShVbQXlWl
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 19, 2025
Ausar Thompson showcased his athleticism in the third quarter when he spun around Mikal Bridges for the score.
THIS WAS NASTY, AUSAR 😮💨
Spin move into the layup through the double team!!
Pistons/Knicks, Game 1 on ESPN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vwp2Ik5lf2
— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2025
Hart and Towns team up for two buckets in the third quarter.
KAT block sets up the Hart bucket.
Hart sets up KAT with the dime.Chemistry between the Knicks guard and big 🤝
We're in the 3Q of DET-NYK Game 1 on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/C7RiaFxnFQ
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025
Malik Beasley SHIMMY. The Pistons go up seven points in the third quarter.
Schröder block to Beasley layup.
Schröder AST to Beasley triple.
Beasley shimmy.This Pistons sequence to take a 7-point lead 🔥🔥🔥
DET-NYK | Game 1 | ESPN pic.twitter.com/JnRupHyLqK
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025
Cam Payne BANG. The Knicks tie the game after trailing by eight entering the fourth quarter.
CAM PAYNE TIES IT UP FROM DEEP 🎯
8-0 run from the Knicks in Game 1 👀
DET-NYK | 7:47 to go | ESPN pic.twitter.com/k5pIhNYRIZ
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025
The Knicks went on a 21-0 run to win Game 1 at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a video showcasing every basket during this game-winning run.
🧊 KNICKS 21-0 RUN TO ICE GAME 1 🧊
New York rode 21 straight PTS, as part of a 40-PT 4Q, to a Game 1 victory!!
Every bucket from the run to give them a 1-0 series lead ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/CYqcADpdat
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025
Knicks vs. Pistons odds
The Knicks entered the first round series with -400 odds to win outright. After their Game 1 victory, the odds increased to -650 on DraftKings Sportsbook.

The Pistons now have +450 odds to win the series. Game 2 tips off on Monday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET.