With dozens of great players from different generations of the Knicks sitting on the court at the Garden, the Knicks were forced to play Saturday night without one of their current stars.
With imported center Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined for the second time this season, the Knicks failed to maintain their recent freshness on both ends of the court before a late rally fizzled in a loss to home 120-111 against the Pistons to end their four-game winning streak.
Former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham had a triple-double with 29 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who shot 50.0 percent from 3-point range (18-for-36). .
Malik Beasley had seven triples and finished with 23, and Jaden Ivey added 16 for Detroit (10-15).
About 40 former Knicks – including Naismith Hall of Famers Clyde Frazier, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, Jerry Lucas, Bob McAdoo, Bernard King, Spencer Haywood and Patrick Ewing, as well as the families of Dean Meminger and Anthony Mason – were present and presented during the event. a halftime “coming home” celebration.
loss to the Pistons. Robert Sabo for the New York Post
The Knicks (14-9) were overwhelmed 43-31 without Towns, who was knocked out late with a left knee issue.
Jalen Brunson remained in the lineup after suffering a back bruise Thursday night against the Hornets and finished with 31 points and 10 assists to lead the Knicks (14-9).
Mikal Bridges scored 20 points, OG Anunoby had 17 with four steals and Josh Hart also scored 17 before receiving his second technical foul and an ejection in the final minutes for the Knicks, who finished 11 of 33 from 3 points.
Jericho Sims started at center in place of Towns, but he only played six minutes in the first half, with Tom Thibodeauy turning to Precious Achiuwa to start the third quarter, while also including rookie Ariel Hukporti in the rotation.
