The Detroit Pistons faced a tough challenge in their playoff opener against the New York Knicks on Saturday night, ultimately losing 123-112 at Madison Square Garden. Despite leading for most of the game, the Pistons fell apart in the fourth quarter, allowing the Knicks to execute a stunning 21-0 run that shifted the momentum entirely.
Pistons forward Tobias Harris, a Long Island native, offered encouragement to his teammates after the game, reminding them that it’s just the start of the series. "You can’t get too high, you can’t get too low," he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining perspective after a loss.
For three quarters, the Pistons played well and seemed to have the upper hand. However, the final quarter proved to be their downfall. The Knicks capitalized on Detroit’s mistakes, turning an eight-point deficit into a commanding 13-point lead with just under five minutes remaining. This late-game collapse could have been demoralizing, especially for a young team with several players experiencing the playoffs for the first time. Yet, Harris insisted that the team’s confidence remained high. "We’re excited and we’re embracing this challenge," he stated, looking ahead to Game 2.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff echoed Harris’s sentiments, believing that the experience gained from this loss would ultimately benefit the team. He pointed out that learning how to close out games in the playoffs is crucial, especially for players new to this level of competition. "These are learning lessons for us," Bickerstaff noted.
Despite the disappointment, both Harris and Bickerstaff expressed pride in how the Pistons maintained their composure under pressure in such a high-stakes environment. The Knicks did what they needed to do in Game 1, and now the Pistons have the opportunity to review their performance and improve before the next game.
As they prepare for Game 2, the Pistons are focused on bouncing back and applying the lessons learned from this tough opening match.