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NEW YORK (AP)— After securing the first playoff win of his career, Cade Cunningham wasn’t dwelling on his own achievements. Instead, he was reflecting on the loyal Detroit fans who have stood by the Pistons during the 17-year drought since their last postseason victory.
Now, Cunningham and his teammates aspire to offer those fans more than just a single game; they aim to deliver a series.
Cunningham tallied 33 points along with 12 rebounds, while Dennis Schröder hit a crucial three-pointer with 55 seconds remaining, helping the Pistons end their NBA-record streak of 15 consecutive postseason losses by defeating the New York Knicks 100-94 on Monday night in Game 2 of their playoff series.
“It’s an incredible feeling. It feels rewarding to represent the city like we did tonight,” Cunningham shared. “This is something that the city has been anticipating for a long time, so we’re feeling good about it and eager to return home and perform for them.”
The Pistons, who hadn’t been in the playoffs since 2019, recovered after the Knicks rallied from a 15-point deficit to secure their first playoff victory since Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against Boston. The Celtics went on to win the last two games of that series, leading to the Pistons facing sweeps in 2009, 2016, and 2019, along with a loss in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden.
Now, with the series tied, they will host Game 3 (7 ET, TNT) on Thursday.
Schröder, who joined the Pistons via trade in February, made the pivotal three-pointer after the Knicks had leveled the score with a 16-4 run capped by a dunk from Josh Hart. He finished the game with 20 points off the bench.
🚨 HUGE GAME-WINNING THREE FOR THE PISTONS 🎯
Dennis Schröder delivered a CLUTCH shot to put Detroit ahead in the waning moments!
DET-NYK Game 2 on TNT.pic.twitter.com/1h1t8kKYkD
— NBA (@NBA)April 22, 2025
This season, the Pistons executed one of the most remarkable comebacks in NBA history, finishing with a 44-38 record after managing only 14 wins in the 2023-24 season, which included a 28-game losing streak—the longest in a single season.
They were poised to take Game 1 with an eight-point advantage entering the fourth quarter, only for the Knicks to make a 21-0 run and claim a 123-112 victory. In Game 2, Detroit built another eight-point lead after three quarters and made the decisive plays following a Knicks comeback.
“We’re focused on bigger goals,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated. “This is why our players have shown growth and consistency—they stay present and understanding what needs to be done. I thought they excelled in that regard tonight.”
Jalen Brunson shone for the No. 3-seeded Knicks with 37 points, but both Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were limited to 10 points each, having scored 23 in the opening game.
“And now it’s up to us to respond,” Brunson remarked.
Cunningham rebounded strongly from a challenging Game 1, where he shot 8 for 21. The Knicks found it difficult to contain him in the paint and defend him without fouling, as the Pistons attempted 14 free throws compared to just two from the Knicks, leading 55-49 at halftime.
