Pistons Vs Knicks: Cade Cunningham Adds to MVP Case with 42-Point Game at Madison Square Garden
The Detroit Pistons completed a regular-season sweep of the New York Knicks with a 126-111 win at Madison Square Garden, and Cade Cunningham delivered a statement performance that strengthened his MVP case. Pistons Vs Knicks in New York ended with Cunningham posting 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds while Detroit again asserted itself in the Eastern Conference race.
Pistons Vs Knicks — Cunningham’s game and the stat line
Cunningham dominated on both ends, finishing with 42 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and two blocks. He was 5-of-11 from 3-point range and repeatedly beat the primary defenders the Knicks threw at him. The Pistons leaned on his all-around play throughout the night as he created runs and closed the game with several decisive baskets and plays that pushed Detroit’s lead out of reach.
How Detroit dominated at Madison Square Garden
Detroit’s win was emphatic: the Pistons held one of the league’s top 3-point shooting teams to just eight of 35 from distance, and New York endured a stretch of 15 consecutive misses from deep in the first half. Detroit’s depth and defensive attention to perimeter shots disrupted New York’s usual spacing and rhythm, enabling the Pistons to control tempo and convert on the other end.
- Final score: Pistons 126, Knicks 111.
- Cade Cunningham: 42 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, two blocks; 5-of-11 on 3s.
- Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 33 points.
- Paul Reed added 18 points for Detroit, starting in the middle.
Implications for the standings and the season narrative
The victory left Detroit with the NBA’s best record at 41-13 and furthered a dominant run against the Knicks — Detroit has now won all three regular-season meetings by large margins, with an average margin of victory of 28 points across those games. The Pistons are 3-0 against New York this season, and Detroit’s broader resume includes strong showings against other top conference teams.
Cunningham has framed the MVP conversation as a by-product of team success, and his performance in this high-profile environment amplified that message. The coaching staff emphasized a consistent temperament and defensive approach that has carried the team through wins even when missing rotation pieces. Detroit was without two key bigs because of suspension, yet the club maintained the same intensity and execution that has defined much of the season.
What to watch next
With the Pistons having completed the sweep and delivered a commanding performance on arguably the NBA’s biggest regular-season stage, the focus will shift to how the team sustains this level of play with key players unavailable due to suspension. For the Knicks, the losses to Detroit form a clear problem set to address as they look to close the gap in the conference race.
Recent results underscore Detroit’s depth and the impact of Cunningham’s two-way presence. As playoff positioning and individual awards conversations tighten, this Pistons win at Madison Square Garden stands out as a milestone night for both the team and its leading star.
