Pistons Pound the KAT-Less Knicks

"The game starts at 7:30. We gotta be ready at 7:30," Brunson said.

Final Score: Knicks 111 - Pistons 120
Record: 14-9

A pair of problems that have plagued the Knicks in losses this season re-surfaced Saturday night, leading to a disappointing defeat at MSG.

New York got off to an inexcusably sluggish start vs. Detroit and allowed the Pistons to get far too many good looks from downtown throughout the evening. That is not a recipe for success.

The Knicks have been unbeatable when they sprint out of the gates in 2024-25, posting a perfect 11-0 record in games in which they win the first quarter. However, they are just 3-9 when they don't lead at the end of the first frame.

In their 14 wins this season, the Knicks are averaging 134.7 points per 100 possessions in the first quarter (the best mark in the NBA) and a Net Rating of +29.6 (second-best in the NBA).

In its nine losses, New York has averaged just 91.1 points per 100 possessions (the lowest in the NBA) and has posted a Net Rating of -29.5 (the worst in the league).

It's hard to deny this powerful correlation between how the Knicks handle the start of games and their ultimate success (or lack thereof) in each contest.