The Detroit Pistons vs Knicks match player stats from Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs tell a story much bigger than just numbers. This wasn’t just another game — it was a night that rewrote the narrative of a struggling franchise. With Cade Cunningham’s dominant 33-point performance and Dennis Schroder’s clutch heroics, the Pistons finally broke free from a 17-year-long postseason drought.
It was poetic, in the sense that fans have been waiting 17 years to taste the success in a postseason. It was not only a victory, but an identity recovery of a team and a city that was getting weary of being NBA second thoughts.
And the centre of this? Another piece of genius by Cade Cunningham, whose 33 point/11 rebound performance served a final exclamation point as the Pistons finally returned to playoff action.
In this paper, we will analyze the overall player statistics of both sides, put into perspective the better-than-average plays, and show what pivotal points was Game 2 decided upon.
The Significance of the Win
Well, that aside, Detroit had not won a playoff match since 2008. Ever since, they have been swept clean in all their postseason performances (2009, 2016, 2019) and plunged incredibly low to the extent of breaking a 28-game losing streak during the 2023-24 regular season.
However this was not the year.
- Turnaround of the regular Season: 14 wins in 2022-23 44 in 2024-25.
- New Additions: Trading at the midpoint of the season brought some professional veterans to the team such as Dennis Schroder.
- Culture Change: Pistons under Coach J.B. Bickerstaff adopted the philosophy of defense, poise, and basketball team play.
This victory is not by chance; it is the consequence of a rebuilding process that had been the right way to go.
Detroit Pistons vs Knicks Game 2 Game Summary
Overall, the Pistons had as much as a 15-point lead during the first half when the Knicks finally got into gear behind Jalen Brunson. The New York team came back with 16-4 to bring the game to a draw at 94 in the last two minutes. But, then– Dennis Schroder canned a cold-blooded three-point shot with 55 seconds remaining and the game was over.
That shot, and the determination that ensued, was representative of the kind of a team that is long past being interested in moral victories these days, they want to win the series.
Player Stats Table: Pistons vs Knicks Game 2
Detroit Pistons
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| Cade Cunningham | 42:24:00 | 33 | 12 | 3 | 52.40% | 25.00% | 83.30% | 2 | 0 |
| Dennis Schroder | 29:15:00 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 60.00% | 60.00% | 83.30% | 0 | 0 |
| Tobias Harris | 43:05:00 | 15 | 13 | 1 | 54.50% | 25.00% | 100% | 1 | 0 |
| Jalen Duren | 36:51:00 | 12 | 13 | 2 | 75.00% | 0.00% | 100% | 1 | 3 |
| Malik Beasley | 30:00:00 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 22.20% | 12.50% | 100% | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Reed | 11:06 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | 1 |
| Ausar Thompson | 20:39 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 28.60% | 0.00% | 25.00% | 2 | 0 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 21:12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0 | 0 |
| Ronald Holland II | 5:28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
New York Knicks
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | FT% | STL | BLK |
| Jalen Brunson | 43:39:00 | 37 | 3 | 7 | 44.40% | 33.30% | 81.80% | 2 | 0 |
| Mikal Bridges | 38:05:00 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 44.40% | 27.30% | 0.00% | 3 | 0 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 33:27:00 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 45.50% | 0.00% | 0% | 0 | 1 |
| OG Anunoby | 42:26:00 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 40.00% | 0.00% | 100% | 2 | 0 |
| Josh Hart | 40:05:00 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 33.30% | 50.00% | 83% | 1 | 0 |
| Miles McBride | 13:19 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 42.90% | 50.00% | 0.00% | 0 | 0 |
| Mitchell Robinson | 20:07 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0.00% | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Landry Shamet | 4:50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Cameron Payne | 4:02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 |
Key Takeaways from the Game
1. Cade Cunningham: Superstar in the Making
Cunningham’s 33 points and 12 rebounds weren’t just stats — they were leadership moments. He controlled the pace, attacked the rim, and got to the free-throw line repeatedly (10-of-12 FT). This was his statement game.
2. Schroder’s Veteran Calm
Acquired midseason, Dennis Schroder has emerged as the X-factor for Detroit. His efficient 20-point outing, capped with the game-winning 3-pointer, was a masterclass in clutch performance.
3. Defensive Edge
Detroit’s defense limited Towns and Anunoby to just 10 points each after both dropped 23 in Game 1. Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris were particularly effective at contesting shots without fouling.
4. Knicks’ Over-Reliance on Brunson
While Jalen Brunson’s 37 points kept New York in the game, the lack of offensive contribution from the frontcourt (Towns, Anunoby, Robinson) hurt their balance. No Knick other than Brunson scored more than 19.
5. Bench Matters
Detroit’s bench outscored New York’s 35-8, thanks to Schroder, Reed, and Beasley. In a tight game, depth was the difference.
What’s Next?
With the series now tied 1-1, momentum has clearly shifted. Game 3 heads to Detroit, where Pistons fans will pack Little Caesars Arena for their first home playoff game in years.
Key Questions for Game 3:
- Can the Knicks get more from Towns and Anunoby?
- Will Detroit continue to dominate bench minutes?
- Can Cade keep up this level of aggression and poise?
Final Thoughts
The Detroit Pistons vs Knicks match player stats reveal more than shot charts and percentages. They show us the return of a franchise that once dominated the East, now rebuilt from the ground up — with smart trades, coaching vision, and youth development.
They’ve already made history by snapping the longest playoff drought in NBA history. But as Cade Cunningham said postgame:
“We’re not done. We want to win a series.”
Detroit basketball is back. And this time, they’re playing for more than just pride — they’re playing for a future that finally feels within reach.
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