Over the past four NBA seasons, the rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons has been defined by one-sided dominance, breakthrough performances, and a recent shift in momentum. While the Knicks held the upper hand for much of the timeline, the Pistons have begun to flip the script — sparking renewed intrigue in this Eastern Conference matchup.
A Rough Start: 0-11 Skid
From December 2021 to November 2024, Piston could not buy a win against Nix. He dropped 11 consecutive games, in which margin often reached double digits. On October 21, 2022, a loss of 130–106 and on November 29 of the same year 140–110 dhabbing highlights the defensive conflicts of Detroit. Despite the individual bright spots-27 April 2025, like a 54-ribound attempt, and in many competitions, shooting-pistons of more than 50% from the field cannot perform simultaneously. On the other hand, the nix, persistent scoring and timely shot, beyond the arc regularly decorated with the arc and decorated with free-thro line.
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Turning Point: First Win – December 7, 2024
After years of disappointment, Piston finally took revenge at the Madison Square Garden. With a balanced aggressive attack, Detroit defeated New York 120–111. This was a decisive moment – under the leadership of thras made from 18 and 51.8% field round percentage, Piston finally crossed his slavery. The victory marked the onset of a turn -round, establishing tone for a new phase of competition between two franchises.
knicks vs detroit pistons timeline
| TEAM | DATE | REC | TM | OPP | RESULT | W% | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 15:00 | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | OREB | DREB | TOV | PF | ||
| 1 | Pistons | 12/21/2021 | 0-1 | DET | @ | NYK | L 91-105 | 0 | 240 | 91 | 48 | 22 | 9 | 4 | 34 | 94 | 36.2 | 8 | 33 | 24.2 | 15 | 19 | 78.9 | 44.5 | 10 | 38 | 12 | 18 |
| 2 | Pistons | 12/29/2021 | 0-1 | DET | vs | NYK | L 85-94 | 0 | 240 | 85 | 43 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 30 | 81 | 37 | 12 | 35 | 34.3 | 13 | 17 | 76.5 | 48 | 8 | 35 | 17 | 23 |
| 3 | Pistons | 3/27/2022 | 0-1 | DET | vs | NYK | L 102-104 | 0 | 240 | 102 | 37 | 23 | 8 | 5 | 39 | 85 | 45.9 | 8 | 29 | 27.6 | 16 | 18 | 88.9 | 54.9 | 9 | 28 | 10 | 21 |
| 4 | Pistons | 10/21/2022 | 0-1 | DET | @ | NYK | L 106-130 | 0 | 240 | 106 | 49 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 39 | 90 | 43.3 | 9 | 36 | 25 | 19 | 32 | 59.4 | 50.9 | 13 | 36 | 15 | 21 |
| 5 | Pistons | 11/11/2022 | 0-1 | DET | @ | NYK | L 112-121 | 0 | 240 | 112 | 43 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 37 | 80 | 46.3 | 7 | 31 | 22.6 | 31 | 41 | 75.6 | 57.1 | 12 | 31 | 15 | 23 |
| 6 | Pistons | 11/29/2022 | 0-1 | DET | vs | NYK | L 110-140 | 0 | 240 | 110 | 30 | 28 | 7 | 4 | 42 | 83 | 50.6 | 13 | 39 | 33.3 | 13 | 20 | 65 | 59.9 | 7 | 23 | 16 | 17 |
| 7 | Pistons | 1/15/2023 | 0-1 | DET | vs | NYK | L 104-117 | 0 | 240 | 104 | 38 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 37 | 83 | 44.6 | 18 | 44 | 40.9 | 12 | 15 | 80 | 58 | 9 | 29 | 11 | 22 |
| 8 | Pistons | 11/30/2023 | 0-1 | DET | @ | NYK | L 112-118 | 0 | 240 | 112 | 42 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 43 | 81 | 53.1 | 15 | 35 | 42.9 | 11 | 17 | 64.7 | 63.3 | 8 | 34 | 20 | 25 |
| 9 | Pistons | 2/26/2024 | 0-1 | DET | @ | NYK | L 111-113 | 0 | 240 | 111 | 42 | 25 | 9 | 6 | 38 | 79 | 48.1 | 14 | 30 | 46.7 | 21 | 26 | 80.8 | 61.4 | 10 | 32 | 17 | 15 |
| 10 | Pistons | 3/25/2024 | 0-1 | DET | @ | NYK | L 99-124 | 0 | 240 | 99 | 37 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 34 | 88 | 38.6 | 10 | 34 | 29.4 | 21 | 22 | 95.5 | 50.7 | 7 | 30 | 12 | 22 |
| 11 | Pistons | 11/1/2024 | 0-1 | DET | vs | NYK | L 98-128 | 0 | 240 | 98 | 38 | 23 | 6 | 9 | 41 | 81 | 50.6 | 11 | 34 | 32.4 | 5 | 7 | 71.4 | 58.3 | 6 | 32 | 22 | 12 |
| 12 | Pistons | 12/7/2024 | 1-0 | DET | @ | NYK | W 120-111 | 1 | 240 | 120 | 43 | 28 | 7 | 0 | 43 | 83 | 51.8 | 18 | 36 | 50 | 16 | 19 | 84.2 | 65.7 | 9 | 34 | 18 | 20 |
| 13 | Pistons | 1/13/2025 | 1-0 | DET | @ | NYK | W 124-119 | 1 | 240 | 124 | 39 | 20 | 8 | 2 | 46 | 92 | 50 | 15 | 34 | 44.1 | 17 | 18 | 94.4 | 62 | 11 | 28 | 11 | 21 |
| 14 | Pistons | 4/10/2025 | 1-0 | DET | vs | NYK | W 115-106 | 1 | 240 | 115 | 35 | 20 | 5 | 6 | 47 | 82 | 57.3 | 8 | 22 | 36.4 | 13 | 18 | 72.2 | 63.9 | 9 | 26 | 15 | 23 |
| 15 | Pistons | 4/19/2025 | 0-1 | DET | @ | NYK | L 112-123 | 0 | 240 | 112 | 37 | 23 | 6 | 9 | 41 | 86 | 47.7 | 15 | 32 | 46.9 | 15 | 20 | 75 | 59.1 | 11 | 26 | 19 | 21 |
| 16 | Pistons | 4/21/2025 | 1-0 | DET | @ | NYK | W 100-94 | 1 | 240 | 100 | 48 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 33 | 74 | 44.6 | 6 | 27 | 22.2 | 28 | 34 | 82.4 | 56.2 | 12 | 36 | 15 | 24 |
| 17 | Pistons | 4/24/2025 | 0-1 | DET | vs | NYK | L 116-118 | 0 | 240 | 116 | 43 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 39 | 86 | 45.3 | 16 | 37 | 43.2 | 22 | 27 | 81.5 | 59.3 | 11 | 32 | 14 | 28 |
| 18 | Pistons | 4/27/2025 | 0-1 | DET | vs | NYK | L 93-94 | 0 | 240 | 93 | 54 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 36 | 84 | 42.9 | 7 | 29 | 24.1 | 14 | 17 | 82.4 | 50.8 | 14 | 40 | 17 | 17 |
| 19 | Pistons | 4/29/2025 | 1-0 | DET | @ | NYK | W 106-103 | 1 | 240 | 106 | 45 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 85 | 42.4 | 8 | 29 | 27.6 | 26 | 36 | 72.2 | 52.6 | 12 | 33 | 13 | 24 |
| 20 | Pistons | 5/1/2025 | 0-1 | DET | vs | NYK | L 113-116 | 0 | 240 | 113 | 36 | 25 | 9 | 3 | 38 | 81 | 46.9 | 9 | 34 | 26.5 | 28 | 33 | 84.8 | 59.1 | 6 | 30 | 15 | 23 |
| Average | 0.25 | 240 | 106.5 | 41.4 | 22.2 | 7.1 | 5 | 38.7 | 83.9 | 46.1 | 11.4 | 33 | 34.4 | 17.8 | 22.8 | 78.1 | 56.7 | 9.7 | 31.7 | 15.2 | 21 | |||||||
| Total | 5-15 | 0.25 | 4,800 | 2,129 | 827 | 443 | 141 | 99 | 773 | 1,678 | 46.1 | 227 | 660 | 34.4 | 356 | 456 | 78.1 | 56.7 | 194 | 633 | 304 | 420 |
Momentum Building: 3 Wins in 4 Games (April 2025)
By April 2025, Detroit wasn’t just competing — they were winning close games. In a five-game playoff-like stretch, the Pistons secured three victories:
- April 10, 2025: Pistons 115 – Knicks 106
- April 21, 2025: Pistons 100 – Knicks 94
- April 29, 2025: Pistons 106 – Knicks 103
These games were defined by improved defense, better rebounding, and crucial free throws. Detroit’s young core showed growth, composure, and resilience in tight moments.
Close Calls & Heartbreaks
Despite the momentum shift, the Pistons still suffered several gut-punch losses, including a 94–93 heartbreaker on April 27, 2025, and a 116–118 loss on April 24. These games, though frustrating, showcased Detroit’s progress — the days of 20-point blowouts were behind them.
By the Numbers
Across 20 games:
- Pistons’ record: 5–15
- Average PPG (Pistons): 106.5
- Average FG%: 46.1%
- 3P%: 34.4%
- True Shooting %: 56.7%
New York’s dominance was clear early, but Detroit’s shooting efficiency and rebounding improved significantly in their wins.
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What’s Next?
This timeline of Pistons vs. Knicks games is more than just a list of results — it’s a story of growth. From lopsided losses to narrow wins, the Pistons are slowly reshaping the rivalry. As young stars mature and both franchises jockey for postseason footing, the next chapter of Knicks-Pistons promises even more drama. The Pistons may still be chasing balance in this matchup, but one thing is certain: the tide is turning.
