Pistons out to prove No. 1 seed was no fluke as they face champion Knicks

The Detroit Pistons are trying to prove their No. 1 seed in 2025-26 wasn’t a fluke as they open a new stretch against the champion New York Knicks. After winning the Eastern Conference’s best regular-season record, Detroit needed seven games to beat the Orlando Magic in the first round and then lost Game 7 at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers by 31 points. The offseason focused on two gaps: outside shooting and adding more ball-handling to reduce pressure on star Cade Cunningham. Third-team All-NBA center Jalen Duren signed a five-year, $200 million extension but is expected to miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury, while forward Ausar Thompson is sidelined with an ankle issue. Despite injuries, Detroit has beaten Boston, Miami, and Philadelphia, while improving 3-point accuracy from 36% last season to 42% in the first three games. Cunningham leads the team and the early road trip ends at Madison Square Garden.