February 07, 2026

NBA: Pistons stifle Knicks with defense in battle of East leaders

NBA: Pistons stifle Knicks with defense in battle of East leaders
The Detroit Pistons approached to within 1.5 games of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the league’s best record. | Photo: X, @DetroitPistons

Daniss Jenkins scored 18 points, helping the host Detroit Pistons snap the New York Knicks' eight-game winning streak with an emphatic 118-80 win on Saturday, Philippine time.

Isaiah Stewart and Tobias Harris scored 15 points apiece as the Pistons overwhelmed New York in a matchup of the Eastern Conference's top two teams.

Paul Reed had 12 points and Cade Cunningham added 11 with seven assists for the Pistons, who bounced back from a loss to the lowly Washington Wizards the previous night.

Detroit shot 53% from the field and made 17 of 40 3-point attempts.

The Pistons, who wrapped up a four-game homestand, have won 13 of their last 17 games. Detroit has won its last five games against the Knicks.

Mikal Bridges led the Knicks with 19 points. All-Star Jalen Brunson was held to 12 points and made just 4 of 20 from the field. 

Brunson missed on all eight of his 3-point attempts. Jordan Clarkson added 11 points. 

Detroit's All-Star center, Jalen Duren, missed the game due to right knee soreness. 

New York played without two of its starters -- forward OG Anunoby (right toe soreness) and forward Karl-Anthony Towns (right eye laceration).

Detroit finished the first quarter on a 14-3 run to take a 28-17 lead with Jenkins coming off the bench and sparked that run with six points.

The Pistons knocked down five 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the second quarter to stretch the lead to 43-28. 

They had a 10-3 spurt to close out the half and take a 63-42 into the break. 

Fittingly, their last points of the half came on another 3-pointer, this one from Harris.

Duncan Robinson drained a pair of 3-pointers during the first three minutes of the second half to make it 71-46. 

When Jenkins fired in a 3-pointer with 1:40 remaining in the quarter, the lead was up to 86-56. 

Jenkins made two more baskets before the quarter ended, giving the Pistons a 90-60 advantage.

Field Level Media

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