Pistons Vs Knicks: Cade Cunningham’s 42-point night completes Detroit’s season sweep at MSG
In the latest pistons vs knicks meeting, Cade Cunningham nearly produced a triple-double, finishing with 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds as the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks 126-111 at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 19, 2026.
Pistons Vs Knicks sweep sealed with a dominant performance
Detroit’s victory completed a regular-season sweep of New York, the third meeting this season and the sixth straight win in the series for the Pistons. The team outscored the Knicks in all four quarters and posted an average margin of victory of 28 points across the three games, with New York routed by 31 and 38 points in the earlier matchups.
Cunningham’s stat line and the roster picture
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, a line that also appeared in the league’s live highlights. Jalen Brunson paced New York with 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the loss. Detroit played without centers Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren because of suspension, while New York was without Miles McBride for the game.
Coaches and the standings after the blowout
“It’s just playing good basketball, ” Detroit coach J. B. Bickerstaff said after the win, adding, “This isn’t an ‘Us vs. Knicks’ thing. ” Knicks coach Mike Brown acknowledged his team’s disappointment, saying, “Nobody wants to lose, and everyone is disappointed. ” The result left the Knicks at 35-21 and the Pistons at 41-13, with New York seven games back of Detroit for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
What the sweep means now and what’s next
The victory further bolstered Detroit’s hold on the No. 1 seed, with the team’s run making it even more unlikely that another club will overtake the Pistons with just over 20 games left in the regular season. New York, tied with the Cavaliers for the No. 3 seed, will face Cleveland on Tuesday in Cleveland in its next scheduled game.
Cunningham’s performance — a 42-point game paired with 13 assists — also fed broader discussions about his value this season, underscoring how he has carried Detroit through the stretch. The Pistons now head into the remainder of the regular season with a clear top-of-conference posture and with the next slate of matchups to defend that standing.
