New York Knicks lose to the Detroit Pistons 118-80: A humbling defeat

The New York Knicks lost to the Detroit Pistons, 118-80. They were missing OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, leaving New York struggling to find answers for Detroit’s defense.

The shorthanded Knicks were wearing fatigue from their double-OT experience two days ago. They kept pace with Detroit briefly to start the night, but began looking overmatched as soon as second units began entering. New York’s offense never found a rhythm, while the Pistons shot well above their typical efficiency.

The Pistons outscored New York by no fewer than nine points in each of the first three quarters. Mike Brown threw in the towel, emptying the bench to start the fourth quarter.

There’s not much to say about a loss like this. After their eight-game win streak and the high drama against Denver, the Knicks were due for an off night. Let’s see what went wrong with the player performances.

Mikal Bridges was the lone Knick with a pulse on offense. He shot well early, and even as he cooled off, he made enough shots to remain a threat.

Bridges attacked the defense, and that led to some turnovers. But his efforts helped get the ball moving and the offense going while everyone else struggled.

Credit to Detroit’s defenders, they never let Jalen Brunson get to his spots on the floor comfortably. Brunson was always bumped, prodded, or crowded before he could get space to shoot.

The Captain wasn’t hitting shots, even when open. But the Pistons were never going to let him find his rhythm. The Pistons could load up on him with Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby out. Individual defenders played him tough, and help defenders were always nearby.

This was Landry Shamet’s worst night since returning from injury. Frustration begins with his jumper abandoning him for a night.

Shamet attacked off the dribble with some success and played good defense, but failed at his role as a floor spacer. I don’t expect him to look this cold often.

Since OG Anunoby didn’t play, Mo Diawara got an opportunity to start. Diawara still played fewer minutes than Landry Shamet, and that makes sense when the Knicks needed offense.

Diawara’s defense looked good, but he didn’t have enough impact on offense to warrant more time.

I expected Mitchell Robinson to outclass Isaiah Stewart because of their size difference. But Stewart blew by Robinson on the first play of the game for a dunk, and that was indicative of how the night would go.

Stewart thoroughly outplayed Mitch, whose sole offensive contributions came on lobs from Tyler Kolek.

The ankle injury returned for Josh Hart. Hart limped off the floor in the third quarter, and his impact felt hampered even before the injury.

Hart couldn’t get his offense going against the Pistons’ physical style. They bumped him off balance more than usual, and I suspect his ailing ankle played a role in that.

I hoped this would be a chance for the Knicks to make a statement about the Eastern Conference. Then I found out Anunoby and KAT were sitting. That’s no excuse for the drubbing they received, but eight consecutive wins earn leeway under these circumstances.

My concerns fall on the injury bug. It’s not just OG and KAT sitting out. Deuce McBride needs surgery, and Josh Hart left the court tonight limping.

Leon Rose acquired Jose Alvarado to bolster the squad, and I’m excited to see what he can bring to this team. I also expect the Knicks to use the waiver wire for one more addition. But the team needs health and momentum to compete with opponents of Detroit's caliber in the playoffs.

A Sunday matinee against Boston is next, and New York will need all the firepower it can get. I’ll see you after the action, Knicks’ fam!