The New York Knicks completely flipped the script with a relentless 21-0 fourth-quarter burst, overcoming the Detroit Pistons for a 123-112 come-from-behind win in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series on April 20.
Detroit Pistons Top Performers:
Cade Cunningham 21 PTS | 6 REB | 12 AST | 40.2 FPS
Cunningham had been on a strong scoring run lately, posting 35+ points in three straight games—including one against the Knicks. However, he struggled in his playoff debut, shooting under 40% and committing six turnovers. Despite that, he still finished with a solid overall performance with his consistent play as a rebounder and playmaker. He should also have a much better offensive showing in Game 2.
Tobias Harris 25 PTS | 6 REB | 2 BLK | 37.2 FPS
Harris got off to a strong start, shooting a very efficient 7-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 from three in the first half, marking his best scoring performance in four months. While he couldn’t maintain that pace in the second half, he made up for it with steady contributions in his usual categories. He may not always deliver big scoring performances, but he still remains one of the most dependable contributors in the series.
Malik Beasley 20 PTS | 4 REB | 2 STL | 34.8 FPS
Beasley has scored 20+ points in three straight games, hitting at least six three-pointers in each. He’s been a legitimate threat from three all season, finishing second in total three-pointers made. He’s also averaged five threes in their first three matchups against the Knicks this year, so expect him to keep producing at a high level on offense.
Jalen Duren 7 PTS | 6 REB | 3 BLK | 29.7 FPS
Duren racked up four dominant double-doubles to start the month but he couldn’t keep it going today with foul troubles. Despite that, he still made a big impact defensively, tallying 4 stocks. That said, he should have no problem bouncing back and reaching 35 fantasy points or more in Game 2.
Tim Hardaway Jr. 19 PTS | 1 AST | 1 STL | 23.9 FPS
Hardaway has endured a difficult stretch offensively lately, but he got back on track today with his fourth game this month scoring 19+ points. However, his production remains minimal in other areas.
New York Knicks Top Performers:
Karl Anthony-Towns 23 PTS | 11 REB | 4 STL | 61.7 FPS
KAT delivered a near-perfect all-around performance, posting at least 19+ points and 10 rebounds for the sixth straight game this month. He also added six stocks and contributed solidly as a playmaker—all without committing a single turnover. While this level of production might not be sustainable, his dominance at his position makes him a strong bet to hover around 40 fantasy points moving forward.
OG Anunoby 23 PTS | 7 REB | 5 STL | 50.4 FPS
OG shined on both ends of the floor today. He came out strong offensively, scoring 19 points and making three three-pointers in the first half. While his scoring slowed in the second half, he contributed defensively with 4 rebounds and 4 stocks. He’s already one of the top fantasy options in this series particularly with his defensive game, but his growing offensive impact is further boosting his fantasy upside with five 23+ point games this month.
Jalen Brunson 34 PTS | 2 REB | 8 AST | 47.4 FPS
Brunson started off slow going 4-for-15 from the field but found his rhythm in the second half, pouring in 23 points and adding 5 assists without committing a turnover. This performance marked his 23rd game this season and 12th in the playoffs with at least 30 points, tying Willis Reed for the second most games in franchise history. He missed 15 games late in the season due to an ankle injury and seemed to tweak it again in the third quarter. However, after switching shoes, he powered through and helped the team turn the game around with a massive run in the fourth. If he stays healthy, there’s every reason to expect him to keep performing at a high level.
Josh Hart 13 PTS | 7 REB | 6 AST | 31.4 FPS
Hart delivered his usual stat line, though he was less effective in both rebounding and defense today. His offense has also been somewhat up-and-down this month with multiple single digit scoring games. Despite that, he should keep finding ways to contribute with his impact crucial for them to win the series.
Cam Payne 14 PTS | 1 AST | 1 STL | 17.5 FPS
Payne stepped up in a big way today, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter to help ignite the team’s 21-0 run. While he’s certainly capable of these performances, he remains a difficult fantasy option with his inconsistency and the team’s tight rotation. However, with the team in need of a shooter, he could see more of this role moving forward.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Mikal Bridges 8 PTS | 2 AST | 2 BLK
Bridges filled the stat sheet in multiple areas though his output remained modest. He also had a quieter offensive outing today after scoring 17 or more points in four of his last five games in the season. While some underwhelming performances are to be expected, he remains the most capable option at the small forward position for the series, with his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
